Results 301-320 of 1,546 for speaker:Áine Brady

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: In 2008 there were 1,840 referrals of alleged or suspected elder abuse to the HSE, an increase from 927 referrals in 2007. The HSE has developed a service to help prevent and combat elder abuse in all its forms with specialist and structures in place. The increase in referrals show that the high level of attention and the arrangements in place to address this unacceptable problem are...

Written Answers — National Nutrition Policy: National Nutrition Policy (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: My Department is currently finalising a National Nutrition Policy, which will be published in November 2009. The Policy will provide strategic direction on nutrition for the entire population for the next ten years.

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: The Deputy may be aware that the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme previously operated by the Health Service Executive is no longer operational. The scheme was replaced by the Housing Aid for Older People (HAOP) in August 2008 which is being administered by the local authorities. The HSE no longer takes applications under the old scheme. However, it continues to process...

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: I understand Senators are concerned that there should be transparency regarding the level of funding committed to the scheme in each financial year. A dedicated subhead has been established within the overall HSE Vote for the purposes of the scheme. Subhead B16 would then be part of Vote 40. As such, the funding made available for the scheme will always be ring-fenced and will be clearly...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: In response to Senator Fitzgerald, mental health funding was not put into a single dedicated subhead and because the fair deal funding is within a single dedicated subhead it cannot be moved elsewhere without notification to the Oireachtas. The HSE makes monthly returns to the Department regarding expenditure on each subhead, including B16, and this will be carefully monitored. Allocation...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: The amendment proposes to impose a timeframe for the commencement of care needs assessments. I appreciate the policy intention of this amendment. It is envisaged that care needs assessments would be undertaken quickly. However, it is considered imperative that the legislation should be flexible on this point. This is particularly pertinent having regard to the fact that the legislation...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: Yes.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: I appreciate the Senator's point in regard to the 79% figure but this means the law is being broken in regard to over 20% of cases. It has taken us five years to reach 79%. I will get further information on the guidelines for the Senator.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: These amendments all concern the issue of who may undertake the care needs assessments. Amendments Nos. 6 and 7 would require all assessments to be carried out by more than one person and by a multidisciplinary team. I can assure Senators that applicants will have access to assessment by a multidisciplinary team, as required. As stated previously, the care needs assessment is intended to...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: The intent and purpose of subsection (50) is to ensure a multidisciplinary team is available to carry out all the assessments on a flexible basis. Under subsection (6), the assessment extends to social as well as medical and health issues, whereas subsection (7) deals only with a physical examination. The multidisciplinary teams established by the Health Service Executive in pilot schemes...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: In reply to Senator Norris, the term multidisciplinary is not used because it is not defined in the legislation. I stated already that the use of both singular and plural is consistent with the Disability Act 2005, but I have agreed to consider this amendment in terms of the person and persons. The care needs assessment will be carried out by a person suitably qualified. As defined in...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: Either.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: There is no amendment asking me to insert those words.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: I made the point that we do not want to have a situation where applicants have to be assessed by a whole series of professionals and have assessments they do not need, but I will take on board what the Senator said about mental health issues. The multidisciplinary teams currently being piloted around the country include geriatricians, social workers and many other disciplines. They are...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: The amendment relates to physical examinations only, so social workers are not necessary.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: At present the Bill provides that the HSE may determine that a person is likely to require care services for the remainder of his or her life. This provision, in conjunction with section 3(2) of the Bill, acknowledges that the definition of "long-term residential care services" contains a minimum time period of 30 consecutive days. Its underlying intention is to enable the HSE to commence...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: It will be open to anyone in residential care to at any time leave that residential care or to seek a review of their care assessment. This provision enables the HSE to pay financial support from day one of a person's time in care rather than his or her having to wait until the 30 day period specified in the definition has expired. The provision is technical and is aimed at assisting people...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Áine Brady: Section 7(13) provides for the content of a care needs assessment report to be provided to a nursing home with the prior consent of the subject of the assessment. I hope this clarifies the position and addresses Senators' concerns.