Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 324: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she proposes to improve and extend respite care facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35692/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland, which was commissioned by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, examined all issues surrounding the financing of long-term care. Following the publication of this report, a working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs has been established.

The objective of this group is to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, taking account of the Mercer report, the views of the consultation that was undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. The group will comment on respite care for older people in this report. It is expected that the report of the group will be submitted to Government in the near future.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 325: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of respite beds available in County Kildare at present; the number required; her plans to expand this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35693/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.