Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2005
195 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the respite unit at Drumcar, County Louth has not been provided with the promised 64 staffing requirements and funds to enable it to remain open and provide an essential service to the families of children and young persons with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4623/05]
View answerThe Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. To ensure the smooth transition and delivery of services, I met representatives of the executive and the Order of St. John of God and discussed the issues.
Following a further meeting held on 1 February 2005 between the Health Service Executive north-east area and St. John of God north-east services, it was agreed to use the existing joint partnership forum to develop a strategy on how best to continue the implementation of the 2002 report to address the outstanding priority concerns regarding health and safety issues and critical staffing levels at St. Mary's residential services. In the meantime, St. John of God north-east services has undertaken to defer the decision around the suspension of respite service provision in St. Mary's. The Health Service Executive north-east area disability services and St. John of God north-east services will arrange to keep parent representatives abreast of developments in the process. Both parties are hopeful of a positive outcome.
