Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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7. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the services for senior citizens living on the north side of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6901/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In line with Government policy, the Health Service Executive provides a range of community-based services aimed at ensuring older people receive safe, timely and appropriate care and treatment at the lowest level of complexity, and as close to home as possible. This means that they are facilitated and supported to stay in their own homes and communities for as long as it is viable, in accordance with the views expressed consistently by older people themselves. Older people with care needs must be provided with a continuum of services such as home care, day care, community support and / or intermediate care beds to avoid unnecessary acute hospital admissions, as well as longer term residential care.

The Local Health Office, which provides information, advice and assistance, is the entry point to community health and personal social services. HSE North Dublin provides a wide range of health and personal social services including Home Help services, Home Care Packages, Respite Care, Day Care, Meals on Wheels and various health promotion initiatives and programmes.

Home help Services are provided by three HSE funded organisations in north Dublin. The number of Home Help hours to be delivered in 2014 will be maintained at 2013 levels. Home Care Packages are provided by a range of agencies and almost 1,000 clients were in receipt of such packages at end of 2013. Arranged daycare and Alzheimer/Dementia services are provided through a range of community supports. A Social Worker for the protection of Older Adults provides a service to vulnerable clients in north Dublin Finally meals on wheels services are provided by 17 different providers.

In addition, there are two public long stay units in North Dublin. Lusk Community Unit provides 45 long term care beds and 5 respite beds. Raheny Community Nursing Unit provides 100 long term beds.

Further details of Older People Services, including useful contact resources for people in the Dublin North area are available from the HSE website.