I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 107 together.
My Department's policy is to maintain older people, in dignity and independence, in their home for as long as possible in accordance with their wishes. The policy was first enunciated in the care of the aged report published in 1968 and confirmed in the report entitled The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly published in 1988. Numerous research studies show that the vast majority of older people have a preference to remain living in their own home for as long as possible rather than moving into long-term residential care. The preferred option for most families is to help care for their elderly relatives at home for as long as possible with the assistance of local health service staff.
Since my appointment as Minister of State, I have encouraged the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards to introduce personal care packages for older people as an alternative to long-term residential care. Personal care packages are specifically designed for an individual and could include the provision of a home help service, home subvention payments, arrangements for attendance at a day centre or day hospital and other services such as twilight nursing. Personal care packages allow older persons the option of living in their home rather than going into long-term residential care.
This year an additional €1.25 million was made available to the authority and health boards for the introduction of personal care packages. This is in addition to the significant expenditure currently being paid for home help and other services aimed at supporting people at home.