10.5 million Home Help hours being provided in 2017

There are 10.5 million Home Help hours in health the system this year which is costing a total of €373 million, Minister of State Jim Daly told the Dáil.

Replying to People Before Profit Deputy Bríd Smith, he said the HSE-funded home help service is delivered predominantly by HSE staff or, in a minority of cases, private and not-for-profit providers. Home care provided as part of the home care package scheme is delivered by HSE home help staff or by arrangements with not-for-profit and private providers who have been selected through a tender process as approved providers, he said.

“I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to promoting care in the community for older people so that they can continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible,” he said. “We propose to establish a statutory Home Care scheme along with a system of regulation for home care services. On 6 July, the Minister and I announced the opening of a public consultation in this regard. I urge all of those with an interest in home care services to make a submission to the consultation.”