Health Board Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004

Thursday, 21 October 2004

Ceisteanna (118)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

112 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of respite and day-care places for elderly persons in area 7 of the Northern Area Health Board; if her attention has been drawn to the total inadequacy of this number to meet demands of the elderly population in the area; the action she is taking to address the serious shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25908/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the Northern Area Health Board acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to her as a matter of urgency.