Vol. 448 No. 2
51 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need to fund the development of long stay accommodation for elderly persons who require constant care; and the proposals, if any, and timescale he has to address this matter. [1701/95]
Limerick East): I am fully aware of the need to fund the development of long stay accommodation for dependent elderly people where that need has been independently and professionally assessed as the best option for the person concerned. It is a primary objective of health policy for the dependent elderly that as far as possible they and their carers be supported at home. In the recently published health strategy, one of the priorities in relation to the elderly is to strengthen the role of the general practitioner, the public health nurse, the home help and other primary care professionals in supporting older people and their carers who live at home. The target will be to ensure that not less than 90 per cent of those over 75 years of age continue to live at home in dignity and independence.
When a dependent elderly person can no longer be supported at home, a number of options are available for his or her care. The Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 provides subventions for those dependent persons assessed by health boards as in need of nursing care and without the means to pay for it. By the end of 1994, a total of almost £12 million annually was made available to implement the Act.
In addition, health boards provide about 9,000 long-stay beds in hospitals and homes for persons assessed by professional staff as requiring long-stay care.
A further priority of the health strategy in relation to older people over the next four years will be the provision of additional places for convalescent care for elderly people who do not need acute medical care and the building of eight small scale nursing units in the community to replace unsuitable accommodation and to meet the needs of the expanding population of older people.
