Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the total requirement in terms of beds for stroke or Alzheimer's patients has been identified; the provision likely to be made for such conditions in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8722/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Health the total number of persons currently receiving home help or other supports on an ongoing basis in each region throughout the country; the extent to which such persons require full-time nursing care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8723/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which community care facilities are likely to be made available to older persons in the future with particular reference to those with a higher degree of mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8724/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Government policy is to support older people to live at home and in their communities for as long as possible. This is realised through a range of community based services such as mainstream Home Help, enhanced provision through Home Care Packages, or through other service elements such as Meals-on-Wheels, Day Care and Respite Care.

While the recently agreed HSE Service Plan for 2012 involves a reduction of 4.5% in Home Help hours nationally, from around 11.2m hours in 2011 to 10.7m hours this year, the corresponding reduction proposed in the actual number of people receiving this service is 1.2%. This means that the number of people receiving the Home Help service this year is 50,000 compared to around 50,600 in 2011. This approach is possible due to the increased focus by the HSE on more personalised care for the most vulnerable older people.

I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the level of community based supports for older people contained in the HSE Service Plan maintains Home Care Packages for this year at 2011 levels. These enhanced packages of care usually contain a nursing, therapy or allied professional care element to support vulnerable older people remain at home. In addition, the HSE are increasingly placing greater emphasis on other improvements, such as increased linkages between Services for Older People and Primary Care Teams and, in particular, advancing the potential of Telecare, and of Aids and Appliances for those with mobility problems. The measures I have outlined reflect the commitment of the Government to provide the best possible services to the most vulnerable older people, in the light of increasing competing demands and severe resource limitations overall.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding dental treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [8726/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.