Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I strongly agree with the Deputy on the importance of social activity for the elderly, in particular in the Monasterevin day care centre. The day care centre is partially funded by the HSE through a grant agreement to a total of €3,733 per annum and is also staffed by community employment staff, the funding for which comes from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The Monasterevin day care centre is a very important local resource.

I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, but we are in the middle of a Cabinet meeting. I left to take two Topical Issues. I will give a guarantee that I will go back to the Minister, Deputy Harris, and ask him to address these issues, in particular the delays involved. I will also bring this to the attention of senior people in the HSE.

As far as I am concerned, every senior citizen, including those in Monasterevin day care centre, have the right to services. Our senior citizens have to be respected and we have to ensure that those with dementia have meaningful social activities. That is very important to the Government, in particular given the fact that people are living longer now than they did 20 years ago.

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