Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2022
255. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the engagement that he has had with the HSE with regard to the relocation in September 2022 of day care services from St Brendan’s CNU Loughrea to a hotel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52328/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDay-care centres are fundamental to the health and well-being of our older population. They play a key role in enabling older people to live independently in their own communities. Their re-opening has been a priority for me since their necessary closure in 2020. This process began in the second half of 2021 and continues into 2022. By the end of October, it is expected that 304 centres will have reopened. This represents about 91% of Day Care Services for Older People. The reasons why the remaining day centres have yet to reopen are complex. For example, a service attached to a Community Nursing Unit may not have sufficient space to separate the day service area from the residents’ communal area, which is a HIQA requirement.
In Budget 2023 I secured an additional €4.1 million to ensure the continuation of older persons and dementia day services to a high standard.
While both my officials and I have engaged with the HSE at a National level in relation to the reopening of day care centres I have not engaged directly with the Executive in relation to the relocation of the service referred to by the Deputy.
