Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his plans, in view of the scarcity due to over demand of respite placements in the Kildare and west Wicklow region, in agreement with the Health Service Executive, to extend the facilities at St. Vincent's Hospital, Athy and Baltinglass District Hospital to provide such placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39663/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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A total of €9 million over 2006 and 2007 has been provided to the Health Service Executive to allow for an additional 1,325 places per week in day and respite care centres. The investment of €9 million will also allow for additional programmes for specific needs such as activity therapy. It also means that many day care centres can open for five or seven days a week, rather than two or three days.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.