Care of the Elderly Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-18 ============================================================ Kieran O'Donnell (FG), Limerick City I thank Senator Lynch for raising this important issue. It is a key priority for the Government to increase access to services that help older people to remain independent and live in their own homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible. Alongside home support, meals on wheels and similar services, day centres are an essential support for older people, particularly in rural communities. They provide invaluable assistance, minor treatments, advice and social interaction for older people who may, for any number of reasons, be experiencing isolation and loneliness. Day centres may be HSE-run services, HSE-funded voluntary services or privately operated and funded services. The HSE reports that, as of quarter 2 of 2025, there were 313 HSE and HSE-funded day centres operating across the country, providing community-based support to approximately 15,600 older people. An additional €500,000 has been provided in budget 2026 to address cost pressures and enhance day care services. The HSE has advised that it intends to use part of the revamped health centre building at Macroom hospital to establish a day centre for older people from Macroom and the surrounding areas. Senator Lynch has alluded to this. At present, the project is awaiting the allocation of capital funding. Once the capital funding allocation is in place, the HSE will progress the planning for this project to the tender phase. On completion of the tender process, the HSE will be able to provide estimated timelines for the completion of this day centre for Macroom. The development of the day centre in Macroom will add to and complement the network of social support services that is already available for older people in the Macroom area. This includes Macroom Senior Citizens, Sullane Haven, Aghinagh Active Retirement Group, Coachford Active Retirement Association, Ballincollig Men's Shed and Ballincollig Senior Citizens Club. I am not sure of the correct pronunciation of "Sullane" and "Aghinagh". It is important to get the pronunciation right. I expect the new day centre in Macroom to be a very welcome addition to the range of health services in the area and I look forward to its completion. I have followed up with the HSE on the particular matter. We will continue to engage with the HSE to get the day care centre in Macroom, which will be part of the revamped health centre at Macroom hospital, progressed as quickly as possible for people in Macroom and surrounding areas. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-18/debate/main Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:39+00:00 Sitting date: 2026-02-18