Finian McGrath
Question:579 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the services available for the 26,000 Alzheimer patients; and the new programmes which are coming on stream in 2004. [11636/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
Questions (521, 522)
Written answers
The Department's policy on providing adequate services for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease is as set out in the report, An Action Plan for Dementia, published by the national council on ageing and older people in 1999. This commitment is endorsed in the 2001 health strategy, Equality and Fairness. A number of initiatives have been taken in relation to the improvement of dementia services. Significant additional funding has been made available for the express purpose of providing assistance to carers, including carers of Alzheimer sufferers. Additional funding has been made available to the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland for expansion of its services, particularly day-care services. A number of new community nursing units for older people which have been constructed in recent years provide respite and day-care for people with dementia.
Details requested by the Deputy of current services available and services coming on stream in 2004 are not held in my Department. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officers of the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority to furnish this information as a matter of urgency. My Department will be in touch with the Deputy when the information is to hand.
Enda Kenny
Question:580 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will respond to a request for documentation made to the North Eastern Health Board in February 2004 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11637/04]
View answer
Responsibility for the sale of lands, including any request made for information in this regard rests with the health board in question. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the North Eastern Health Board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.