Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the reduction in the availability of respite care on the northside of Dublin; and if she has established any policy guidelines for the Health Service Executive regarding respite care. [23690/10]

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. Where this is not feasible, support is provided to access quality, long-term, affordable residential care.

In line with this overall approach, a priority of Government in recent years has been to develop a range of community-based supports such as Home Help, Home Care Packages, and Day Care. The HSE Service Plan 2010, approved by the Minister for Health and Children last March, commits the Executive to providing agreed levels of service nationally for these key areas. The Plan includes Respite Care, often available through Day Care or Home Care Packages, and delivered either directly by the HSE, or in partnership with the voluntary or private sectors. Broadly speaking, the level of community supports for older people in 2010 is in line with 2009 provision. There is, in fact, an increase this year in the number of Home Care Packages available, due to an additional €10m given in the last Budget for this purpose.

I am not aware of specific issues relating to the provision of Respite Care in the Northside of Dublin. It is, however, a matter for the HSE to manage the services I have outlined, including Respite Care, at national, regional, or local level, bearing in mind all relevant factors such as overall resources, local circumstances, and evolving service priorities. I have not established separate policy guidelines on this matter.