Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 7, lines 12 and 13, to delete “by a registered medical practitioner or a registered nurse” and substitute “on behalf of the Executive”.

This is a technical amendment to section 4. It was raised on Committee Stage by the Minister, Deputy Foley. Section 4(1)(d) currently provides for the provision of a home help service following an assessment of needs made by a registered medical practitioner or a registered nurse. Assessments of need for the HSE home support service may be carried out by a wide range of health professionals, however, including public health nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The purpose of this amendment is to simply reflect the manner in which such assessments are carried out by the HSE and to ensure this is incorporated in the section and that it is understood that the assessment of need can be carried out by different individuals in the HSE and health service, rather than just one specific group.

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