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Care of the Elderly

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976)

Colm Burke

Question:

1972. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the programme highlighted in the recent document prepared by a person (details supplied) and published in December 2020 will be expanded once the Covid-19 restrictions have been fully removed in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19470/21]

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Colm Burke

Question:

1973. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if additional resourcing will be provided and research carried out for the ARCS initiative in order to explore the changing roles of artist and care setting staff in the design and delivery of art in care initiatives, to identify additional training and support needs and the way in which these can be met in view of the changed circumstances brought about by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19471/21]

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Colm Burke

Question:

1974. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if additional research will be carried out to further understand the experience of the ARCS initiative from the perspective of older persons in residential and daycare settings; if he will ensure that they play a more active and central role in the design and delivery of art in care initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19472/21]

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Colm Burke

Question:

1975. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if further research stemming from a recent report (details supplied) will be considered in order to examine ways in which the artist in residence in a care setting initiative can further develop meaningful links with the community in which the care setting is located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19473/21]

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Colm Burke

Question:

1976. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if further funding (details supplied) will be considered for the artist in residence in a care setting initiative in order to further expand and mainstream this beneficial initiative to the wider residential and day care sector for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19474/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1972 to 1976, inclusive, together.

The recently published research commissioned by Age & Opportunity concerns the capacity of care settings in Ireland to interact with the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic and it also considers how to embed the arts in the culture of care settings more generally. The research was forwarded to the Department last month for information.

I understand that the research was funded through a partnership between the all-of-government Creative Ireland Programme and Age & Opportunity. The substance of the report relates to a programme implemented by Age & Opportunity within residential care settings that has been funded since 2017 by the Arts Council, the HSE and the Creative Ireland Programme.

I am unaware of any application to provide additional funding in this area. However, the research notes that it is planned to continue to implement the initiative in 2021 in various care settings and that this will take place in the context of the evolving situation regarding COVID-19, and the significant impact the pandemic has had on residents and attendees in these settings, and on the nature and scope of the services provided in such settings.

In this context I have asked the HSE to provide further details of the initiative to the Deputy, including any further potential funding opportunities.

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