Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2008
172 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has commenced the evaluation of the Health Service Executive’s home care packages; when she expects the review to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32158/08]
View answerThe importance this Government attaches to the continued development of community-based services for older persons is reflected in the unprecedented levels of funding given to this sector in recent years. In 2006 and 2007, just over €400 million was provided to enhance service developments across the older persons sector. Of this specific investment of €110 million over those years has provided for a total of 4,300 new home care packages.
Under the Framework Social Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, the Government and social partners committed to the establishment of a Steering Committee, chaired by my Department, to begin preparatory work of evaluating the effectiveness of Home Care Packages. This commitment also gives effect to a recommendation of the Long Term Care Working Group that an evaluation be undertaken. The Steering Committee commenced its work some time ago and recently sought tenders through the public procurement process for an independent consultancy to undertake the Evaluation. A number of tenders were subsequently received and are at present being considered.
My Department hopes to be in a position to award this contract at an early date, with a view to receiving a Final Report in the first quarter of 2009. It is intended that this Evaluation will make an important contribution towards informing future policy and service developments for home care services for older people.
