Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021
377. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the necessary capital and revenue resources for day care dementia services to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32518/21]
View answerAll Community Health Organisations through the National Older Persons Office were requested in April 2021 to provide information on the status of their Day Care Services in order to ascertain the level of service that could resume on receipt of updated public health guidance. As a result, it was intended that approximately 100 day centres would re-open week beginning 5 July. It was also intended that an additional 55 centres would resume later in July and August and that a further 90 centres that require minor adaptation works are expected to reopen in the next few months. Funding will be made available to assist these centres that require such works.
It was indicated that these dates may be subject to change as the HSE continues to deal with the significant challenge of the on-going cyber-attack. Since then updated Public Health guidance to support the re-opening of Day Care Services for Older People was provided in June 2021 to facilitate re-opening plans. Following on from this a further information request issued to HSE Services to obtain an update on re-opening plans. The process for re-opening of the centres has already commenced and it is expected that more centres will re-open in the coming weeks.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Alzheimer Society of Ireland has confirmed the re-opening of three centres, Bessboro, The Orchard and Dundalk. I understand that three further centres at Watermans, Sligo and Waterford are due to re-open the week beginning the 19th of July with further plans for phased re-opening throughout August and September.
