James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Chambers again for raising this very important issue regarding the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar. The Senator has consistently pursued the importance of this facility.

On the more specific points, I will certainly raise those with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and I will ask her to engage with Senator Chambers on it. As the Senator rightly pointed out, it is a priority. It is a policy of this Government to help as many people as possible to stay at home, and to be able to do so with dignity and with the services they need to be able to stay at home.The HSE has prioritised and will continue to prioritise the reopening of day-care centres for older people. This focus has been on both directly operated HSE day-care centres and day-care services provided under grant-aid funding by the HSE.

I reiterate the HSE has assured the Department it is exploring every option for a permanent space for Sacred Heart Hospital day services and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has asked her officials to monitor the position over the coming months. It is hoped interim arrangements will be put in place for the summer. I will certainly ask her to keep Senator Chambers up to date on all the steps and details relating to the issue.