Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her policy for the provision of emergency respite care for persons whose carer and family member has to undergo surgery for cancer, as in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose spouse and carer is hospitalised; if it is the case that it is her policy not to make provision by way of respite care in such circumstances; if specific or dedicated beds exist or are expected to be provided in the public sector to cater for such needs in the near future; if provision of such needs have been met in the past two months; if she will initiate policy to meet such contingencies in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22615/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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It is Government Policy that Community and Home Based Care should be developed to maintain older people in their homes and communities for as long as possible and to support the important role of the family and informal carer. Respite is a resource that provides a temporary break for a family, or an informal carer, and is an important element in the range of community supports available to allow an older person to remain at home.

An additional €7 million was made available to the HSE over 2007-2008 to expand Day Care and Respite services. In addition, significant residential respite care continues to be provided in public community nursing units (including community hospitals/long stay residential units) across the country. There are over 700 such designated respite care beds provided nationally. It is estimated that approximately 19,000 people benefit over the course of a full year – based on an average length of stay of 2 weeks per person.

It is a matter for the HSE to deliver Respite care services, in line with its agreed Vote and Service Plan. This includes addressing the need for emergency respite care in individual cases. Accordingly, the matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.