Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Minister for Health the detail of the HSE plans in place to support north Westmeath hospice and palliative care in the county generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38060/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Significant progress has been made in recent years in improving access to specialist palliative care services. At present 93% of people receive specialist palliative care services in the community within seven days of referral while 96% have access to a specialist bed within seven days. Specialist palliative care is now provided in 11 locations countrywide, and the number of specialist palliative care beds will reach 217 once all 15 beds in Kerry Hospice are open.

The successful development of palliative care services in Ireland has been based on a long standing tradition of positive engagement between the voluntary and statutory sector. Organisations such as the North Westmeath Hospice play a vital role in this work by collaborating in a very positive way on a range of fronts to strengthen the provision of palliative care.

With funding provided through the North Westmeath Hospice a position of Social Worker in Westmeath is due to filled in January 2017. This is in addition to a consultant post for the Midlands which is currently being processed through recruitment and due to be in place in early 2017. These posts are a welcome development and will make a real difference for clients in North Westmeath.

The HSE will continue to engage with the North Westmeath Hospice Group, as with similar Groups elsewhere, to further develop all levels of palliative services generally in the County.