Written answers

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Department of Health and Children

Health Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to ensure that the needs of all people who require palliative care are met, whether this is needed at home, in the community or in a specialised hospice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18342/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the Programme for Government, the Government has committed to removing the regional disparities in the provision and funding of palliative care, and to ensuring that the needs of all those who require palliative care are met. Funding is being used to improve palliative care services in consultation with the newly established Regional Development Committees and in line with the recommendations made in the report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care (October 2001).

Additional funding totalling €18 million was provided by the Government in Budgets 2006 and 2007. Budget 2008 provided a further €3m for enhanced service provision covering Multi-Disciplinary Teams; Specialist Palliative Care Beds; Home Care; Day Care; Acute Palliative Care Services, etc. Particular emphasis will be placed by the HSE on addressing parts of the country where services need most improvement (South East; Midlands; North East; West).

On the 14th September 2007, officials from the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive met with representatives of the Irish Hospice Foundation, the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Association for Palliative Care. At that meeting it was agreed to develop a five year implementation framework for the delivery of palliative care services. Work towards developing this framework is currently being progressed by the HSE with significant involvement from the voluntary sector. It is intended that it will be complete by the middle of the year.

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