Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the hourly cost of the Health Service Executive-administered home help inclusive and exclusive of the cost of administering the scheme; her plans to regulate the public and private home care sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7131/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Government policy in relation to older people is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and, where this is not feasible, to support access to quality, long-term affordable residential care. In line with this policy, a priority of Government in recent years has been to develop care services to assist vulnerable older people to live at home for as long as possible. There has, consequently, been significant development nationally by the Health Service Executive (HSE) of a number of community-based supports such as Home Help, Home Care Packages, and Day/Respite Care. In 2010 the Executive will, for example, invest in the region of €210 million for Home Help services, and €130 million for Home Care Packages.

The focus of the Department and the HSE in recent times has been the introduction of new regulations for the long-term residential care sector, underpinned by a scheme of financial support (the Nursing Homes Support Scheme). While there is at present no statutory regulation of the home care sector, the HSE has responsibility for delivering all aspects of its community based service. This includes training and induction for its community staff, and Garda clearance for all new staff employed since 2006. (Garda clearance has also been sought, on a phased basis, for all staff who commenced employment before 2006. Clearance has by now been received for almost all such staff members, and work will continue in this area until clearance has been received for all HSE employees.)

Following the introduction of Home Care Packages in 2006, and in accordance with a recommendation of the Long-Term Care Working Group and a "T2016" commitment, the Department last year commissioned an independent Evaluation of Home Care Packages. This Evaluation was published on 3 December last. The HSE is committed, in its Service Plan 2010, to implement the recommendations of this Evaluation, which will include the adoption by the Executive this year of:-

National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of Home Care Packages;

National Quality Home Care Support Guidelines; and

a National Procurement Framework for the provision of home care services.

These measures will apply to all relevant home care services provided directly by, or on behalf of, the HSE.

In relation to the issue of statutory regulation, the Law Reform Commission published a consultation paper in July last, entitled Legal Aspects of Carers. While the focus of the HSE this year will be on the implementation of the recent Evaluation, the Department will also consider the Commission's findings in the context of possible changes to legislation and regulation in the area of home care for older persons generally.

I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply, in relation to the cost information raised.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has received documentation appertaining to the extension, improvement, refurbishment works at a health centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; the full extent of the works required; when her attention was drawn to this requirement; when it is expected to respond to such requests in view of the unsatisfactory situation prevailing at present; if she will enter into dialogue with the local general practitioner and health centre staff with a view to expediting the process having particular regard to the population increase in the area and that the current facilities were provided to meet the existing population demands 40 years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7259/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent it is intended to upgrade, improve, replace or extend the facilities in the various health centres throughout County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7275/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a health centre office will be provided for the people of Naas, County Kildare to meet the community welfare officer in view of the increased demands for same in this town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7276/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 186 and 187 together.

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when it is intended to provide the full complement of speech and language therapists throughout County Kildare; if the full requirement has been identified; when such requirements will be met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7260/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will put in place an enhanced quality and scale of support services for children with autism, Asperger's syndrome, ADD and ADHD or similar problems with a view to offering their parents the quality and scale of support equal to and available in the best practice locations throughout the European Union; if she has identified areas of particular need; if she has received communication from parents outlining such requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7261/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.