Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
22. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to provide funding for a day care centre for the elderly in Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40616/23]
View answerThe Government remains committed to supporting people to age in place at home in their community with access to wraparound supports, including day care and dementia-specific day care services and Meals on Wheels.
In May, I announced the allocation of €5.25 million funding for Meals on Wheels and day centres to organisations across the country. In addition to this a further €2.1 million was secured for dementia-specific community day services.
Day centres provide a valuable service for older people through delivery of a planned programme of activities in a professional care setting and provision of care during the day. The service offers family carers respite from caregiving duties while knowing that their family member is in a safe place.
Youghal does not currently have a day centre for older people but plans have been proposed to develop this service for the area. I understand a proposal has been drafted and an order of magnitude cost has been produced for re-development of the St Raphael’s Health Care Campus. This proposal includes plans for a day centre to be incorporated into the refurbished main building. At this early stage, it is not possible to determine a timeline in relation to establishment of the day centre in Youghal until capital funding has been sanctioned for same.
On a wider level, the Deputy will be aware that there are 14 Community Healthcare Networks operational in Cork providing primary and community care services to patients in the County. Six Community Specialist Teams are planned for Cork, consisting of three ICPOP Team (two of these are operational) and three Chronic Disease Management Teams (one of which is operational.)
