Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. Day care centres are fundamental to the health and well-being of our older population. They play a key role in enabling older people to live independently in their own communities. Their reopening has been a priority for my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, Deputy Butler, since their necessary closure in 2020. This process began in the second half of 2021 and continues into 2022. By the end of October, it is expected that 304 centres will have reopened, representing about 91% of day care services for older people.

The Deputy asked about his local centre. In budget 2023, the Minister of State secured an additional €4.1 million to ensure the continuation of older persons and dementia day services to a high standard. The St. Brendan's day care service in Loughrea is open one day per week for a maximum of 14 attendees, as per HIQA stipulations. In addition to this, the HSE has an interim arrangement, as the Deputy outlined, to operate a service for three days a week in the Lough Rea Hotel. This arrangement commenced in September and can cater for a maximum of 24 attendees. The service operates weekly on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Unfortunately, the community nursing unit is not an option as a long-term location for the St. Brendan's day care service. The HSE is looking to identify an alternative site on the St. Brendan's campus.

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