Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the recommendations in a report (details supplied). [8577/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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The report referred to by the Deputy, which relates to care services for older people in a locality of north Dublin, will be officially launched by me early next week. The report makes various recommendations in relation to providing an enhanced range of services for the area in the future. As the Deputy is aware, overall Government policy is to support older people in their homes and in their communities; to promote high standards for residential care; and to ensure that the cost of quality care for this sector is affordable to older persons and their families.

I would obviously have no objection in principle to supporting improved services for this particular catchment area, or indeed elsewhere around the country, provided that this is achieved in line with overall service priorities and resources generally. As the Deputy is aware, operational responsibility for the development of health and personal social services, including those relating to services for older people in this specific area of Dublin, is in the first instance a matter for the Health Service Executive. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider in detail the particular report raised by the Deputy. The 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.