Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that I am not a Minister of State in that Department. Therefore, it is very difficult for me to come into this Chamber and depart from a script when I am not over the issue. I would appreciate if we could be fair on the issue.

On behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, I assure Deputy Connolly that the Government has been driving important reform initiatives, working to deliver on the objectives of Sláintecare and building the capacity of our health service to address the changing needs of our growing and ageing population.

A key focus of our Sláintecare reform programme is recognising the need to enable older people to age well at home and in their communities for as long as possible with the correct wraparound supports. Older people want to age well at home and it is important the supports they need are in place, including wraparound services like home support, day services and meals on wheels.

There should be no doubt that investment in social care and home support has been a substantial priority for me and the Government. In May, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, announced the allocation of €5.25 million funding for meals on wheels and day centres for older people to organisations throughout the country. In addition to this, a further €2.1 million was secured for dementia-specific community day services. Access to centres can make an important contribution to our goal to support older people to age in place in their communities by providing invaluable support, advice and social interaction for older people who may, for any number of reasons, be experiencing isolation and loneliness.

As the Deputy is aware, the Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for planning, managing and delivering health and personal social services. A wide range of core services are provided for older persons, including home support, day care and community supports in partnership with voluntary groups and intermediate care as well as long-stay residential care when remaining at home is no longer feasible. These services are fundamental to the health and well-being of our older population.

The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is committed to working alongside HSE Community Healthcare West to ensure those who need to access health services can avail of such services within their community. The HSE has provided reassurances that, as previously committed to and planned, it will provide a day service at Áras Mhic Dara that will cater for eight to ten people. An area within the centre has been identified for providing the service. It is planned that two healthcare support assistants will be employed when the day service is operational, with the support of a clinical nurse manager off site. A minimum of eight people is necessary to reopen this service.

To date, only one person has expressed an interest in the day centre. The HSE has advised the Department of Health that all communications regarding the day services were provided to the local public health nurses and GPs in the area. The HSE has further advised that the message was also broadcast through the local media and that local politicians in the area were informed.

The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, previously promised the Deputy that her officials would monitor the position. They will continue to engage with the chief officer in community healthcare west in respect of this matter.

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