Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the right of each patient to a planned and timely transition from hospital to their home or residential care, and long-term institutional care can be provided on the basis of medical and social need rather than inadequate community services or supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46103/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that it is Government Policy in relation to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. The overall emphasis is on promoting a high quality service, delivered to those who require it, in the most appropriate setting and to ensure that the needs of patients and clients are met as much as possible in a community setting and, where this is not possible, through residential services.

In 2008 the Health Service Executive launched a Code of Practice for Integrated Discharge Planning. The Code acts as a guide to the required standards of practice in the management of integrated discharge planning in the HSE and in any facility providing services on behalf of the HSE with a view to improving the processes for accessing community and long stay supports and changing the way we care and treat older persons. In this regard, Joint Implementation Groups have been established in each region to drive implementation across primary and secondary care services.

The Deputy will be aware that the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced on 27 October. The Scheme encompasses a care needs assessment which identifies whether or not a person requires long-term nursing home care. Its purpose is to ensure that long-term nursing home care is necessary and is the right choice for the particular person. The assessment takes into account both medical and social factors and considers whether a person can be supported to continue living at home or whether long-term nursing home care is appropriate.

Earlier this year my colleague the Minister for Health and Children approved the national standards for all residential care settings for older people under section 10(2) of the Health Act, 2007. Amongst other things, the standards govern the procedure for moving to long-term residential care. These Standards are underpinned by the Health Act, 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009.

The development of community based services remains a priority for the Government. During 2009 the Health Service Executive expects to deliver almost 12 million home helps hours benefiting over 54,500 clients, provide 21,600 Day Care Places benefiting an estimated 80,000-100,000 people annually and provide over 700 designated Respite Care Beds benefiting 19,000 people annually, based on an average length of stay of 2 weeks per person. In addition the HSE provides home care packages to approximately 11,500 recipients over the course of the year. These packages are an additional support over and above existing mainstream community services. They are designed to be flexible and are particularly targeted at those at risk of inappropriate admission to either long-term residential care or acute hospital, or those requiring discharge home, from an acute hospital.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the consent form for the administration of the swine flu vaccine (details supplied); if it complies with the Health Service Executive guidelines for obtaining consent for non-emergency treatment or services from parents of children and young persons under the age of 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46118/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.