Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
881. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if day centres will be permitted to reopen for older persons who are vaccinated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24512/21]
View answerIt has been a key priority for the HSE to ensure that Day Care Services for Older People can resume as soon as it is safe to do so. It is acknowledged that the Day Care Services provided across the country are a fundamental support structure for older people. Day Care Services have been closed since March 2020. The HSE has advised the Department that additional supports including home support, meals on wheels, telephone support, additional public health nursing and virtual activities have been provided for the most vulnerable older people throughout the pandemic. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association of Ireland have been providing ‘Day Care in the Home’ across the country for individuals with Dementia.
Since November 2020, a Day Care Focus Group has been in place with representation from across the HSE and voluntary organisations to develop and drive a plan for the reopening of Day Care Services for Older People in line with the COVID Roadmap. The Group has met on a number of occasions with a focus on putting in place guidance and plans for the resumption of Day Care Services, as soon as possible. The group was originally concentrating on what services could be delivered under current guidance, and in line with the current COVID Roadmap and have now extended their approach based on the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme and the impact this can have on the reopening of services.
As a result of the vaccination programme being rolled out to persons over 70 years of age, further guidance has been sought from Public Health in relation to the provision of Day Care Services and how these can be operated safely and in line with the measures in place to ease restrictions over the next few months.
Day Care Service have also been asked to assess what can currently be delivered and the requirements to be met to reopen. A sub-group has also been established to develop an individualised risk assessment that can be carried out in respect of individuals returning to the services. Plans will be put in place in conjunction with Public Health advice by each service in relation to the resumption of services so that Day Care Services can resume as soon as it is considered safe to do so.
Areas to be focused on will include:-
- Safe transport
- Protection of carers who have not been vaccinated and the impact of this.
- Identification of individuals who are safe to return to Day Care Services. -
- Supports for individuals who will not be in a position to return to Day Care Services.
The HSE has reassured the Department that it will continue to focus on the re-opening of Day Care Services as a priority and the Focus Group in place will continue to drive a plan to resume these services as soon as possible.
It is a priority for me as Minister with special responsibility for older people for day services to resume as soon as possible and I continue to engage with senior officials within the Department and HSE on this very important matter.
