Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the consideration given by her to the prospect of an intermediate care option for aged and vulnerable persons rather than the current option of long-stay nursing home care; the discussions she has had regarding this issue with the Irish Council of Social Housing and the engagement there has been between the Irish Council of Social Housing and the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45908/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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It is in everyone's best interests that older people are supported and encouraged to remain self reliant and to remain actively involved in their own well-being and that of their families, friends and the wider community. As the Deputy is aware, a range of services are available to support older people living in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and where this is not possible, provide them with access to appropriate residential accommodation.

I would like to point out that housing policy is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A sub-group of the cross-departmental team on sheltered housing, established by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to oversee progress in that area, has produced a draft protocol for inter-agency co-operation where there is a care dimension additional to accommodation needs. Representatives from my Department, the HSE, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the local authorities and the Irish Council for Social Housing participated on the subgroup. A draft protocol has been submitted to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for further consideration by the cross departmental team.