Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
321. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has an early alert system in place to notify persons to make contingency plans in situations in which there is an extreme weather warning in place; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in need of PA hours may not receive ample notice that services may not be available during extreme weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10997/18]
View answer331. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has an early alert system in place to notify persons to make contingency plans when there is an extreme weather warning in place; if his attention has been to the fact that persons in need of PA hours may not receive ample notice that services may not be available during extreme weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11131/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 331 together.
The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are continuing to work with other agencies as part of the National Emergency Coordination Committee, to ensure that our vulnerable citizens are cared for.
The HSE will continue to maintain all essential services, particularly services to vulnerable people at home in the community.
With regard to the Deputy's reference to persons receiving ample notice that Personal Assistant services may not be available during extreme weather events, as this is a service matter, I have referred the question to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy.
