Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State spent most of his time speaking about services for people with Alzheimer's. I agree that these are important. In Monasterevin, they also cater for people from Kildare town and Newbridge, where there is a dearth of services. However, equally as important for the people of Monasterevin are the day care centres that cater for the elderly who live in the town and its surrounds in terms of their social activities, meals, interactions and events. Every community is entitled to this.

The Minister of State referred to the board's decision. I can understand why it made that decision. Since 2014, it has been given inaccurate information. It was a board of committed volunteers. I am glad the HSE met them and was able to iron out some of the difficulties, but this is taking too long. Funding for construction had been approved for 2017 and the HSE originally stated that construction on the site was to have been commenced by now and concluded by early 2018.

The Minister of State did not address why there had been delays or why the service users, staff and community must wait until 2019 for the centre to reopen. Monasterevin cannot be left without these services. The elderly in the town rely on it and need it in their community.

I want the Minister of State to bring a message back to the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and those in the HSE, namely, that we need the delivery of this service as soon as possible. We should not have to wait any longer.

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