Written answers

Tuesday, 5 February 2008

Department of Health and Children

Health Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if and when speech and language therapy will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3351/08]

Photo of Jimmy DevinsJimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009 under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with an additional €75 million in both 2006 and 2007. This funding included monies to provide new and enhanced services for people with disabilities, to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which came into effect on June 1st 2007 for the under 5's and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi-Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50 million investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget. 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, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will be given an assessment for speech and language therapy. [3363/08]

Photo of Jimmy DevinsJimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009 under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with an additional €75 million in both 2006 and 2007. This funding included monies to provide new and enhanced services for people with disabilities, to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which came into effect on June 1st 2007 for the under 5's and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi-Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50 million investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget.

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, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the home care package programme for the elderly has been terminated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3573/08]

Photo of Máire HoctorMáire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I am happy to say that the Home Care Package programme has not been terminated and has, in fact, been expanded this year.

Home Care Packages are an additional support over and above existing mainstream community services and are used to maintain an older person at home via additional supports and therapy services. They are designed to be flexible and are particularly targeted at those at risk of admission to long-term care, inappropriate admission to acute hospital or requiring discharge home from acute hospital. The initiative formally commenced in 2006, following a pilot programme in 2005.

Very significant funding of €110 million was provided over the years 2006 and 2007 to develop Home Care Packages. In 2007, the Health Service Executive had put in place 4,350 packages, which benefitted in excess of 10,500 clients.

In Budget 2008, an additional €10 million was allocated to provide 360 extra packages this year, which should benefit in the region of 800 additional people. The Government specifically highlighted community based services for older people, and the expansion of Home Care Packages in particular, as a priority for development funding in the Budget. The the total projected provision by the HSE is over 4,700 packages for this year, benefiting approximately 11,000 people.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of home care packages that were allocated per county in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3574/08]

Photo of Máire HoctorMáire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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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. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter 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.

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