A one-off €10 million funding boost for palliative and end-of-life care has been announced.

The monies will support the voluntary palliative care sector to maintain critical and ongoing care in the context of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Difficult time

Health minister Stephen Donnelly said: “Hospices and other providers of palliative care have really stepped up to support people with palliative and end-of-life care needs and their families during this most difficult time.”

“They have also supported acute hospitals and community health services, including nursing homes, to meet the rising demand for palliative and end-of-life care associated with COVID-19. 

“At the same time their fundraising activities have, unfortunately, been curtailed due to the pandemic, impacting on their capacity to maintain their vital services.”

Telemedicine

He said that the funding would help the palliative-care sector to continue to provide essential services and cement innovations, such as virtual supports and telemedicine.   

Of the €10 million, €8.5 million will be distributed to the members of the Voluntary Hospice Group. 

In addition, €350,000 will be provided for specialist palliative home care in the south-east, €750,000 will be granted to the Laura Lynn Hospice, and €400,000 will be distributed equally between the Irish Hospice Foundation, the All-Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care, the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation, and the Irish Cancer Society.