Denis Naughten
Ceist:521. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when day centres will be permitted to reopen for older persons who are fully vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44468/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 September 2021
Ceisteanna (521)
Freagraí scríofa
It is a key priority for the Government to allow more people to engage in services that allow them to remain independent and live in their own homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible.
Day centres are fundamental to the health and well-being of our older population and play a key role in enabling older people to live independently in their own communities and the reopening of these centres are a priority for me. The HSE continues to actively work on reopening day care centres for older people as a priority in line with current public health guidance. At the end of August approximately 120 centres had reopened and more are expected to reopen during September and October.
I am aware that some centres that are co-located with residential care facilities are facing challenges with reopening due to compliance with public health guidance as a result of the additional complexity involved in managing across both types of provision.
It remains my priority to ensure that day centres reopen as quickly and as safely as possible, following the necessary closure of centres last year in response to COVID-19.