Care of the Elderly
Seanad Éireann — 2020-11-18
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

I fully understand the impact that the continued delays in reopening recreational respite services is having on older people and the important role this service plays. My mum attended a day-care centre near to where we live. She misses going there, the friends, the chat and the conversation. It is very important for people. All I can say is services will resume when it is safe to do so, but I cannot see that happening before Christmas. I am very hopeful that when we come out of lockdown, we will be able to open services, even at a reduced level, in the spring. That is what I am aiming for and I am working closely with the Department and the HSE to ensure that will become a reality. It will be difficult and not all services will be able to reopen. If we could, however, open some services at a reduced capacity, it would give hope to many and I will continue to work towards that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2020-11-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:48:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2020-11-18