Seamus Kirk
Question:615 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the current status of long-term care; the number of persons using this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31924/12]
View answerTuesday, 3 July 2012
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Written answers
Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. This is achieved through a range of community based services such as mainstream Home Help, Meals-on-Wheels, and Respite or Day Care. In more complex cases, enhanced Home Care Packages (HCPs) may be provided. Where it is not possible to maintain a person at home, the policy is to support access to quality long-term residential care.
Approximately €300 million is earmarked this year by the HSE to provide home-help and home care packages. The Executive estimate that 10.7 million home-help hours will be delivered in 2012, benefiting approximately 50,002 people. The HSE is also to provide home care packages to around 10,870 older people at any one time or 15,768 clients over the course of the year.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is a system of financial support for people who require long-term nursing home care. Under the Scheme, individuals make a contribution towards the cost of their care and the HSE pays the balance. The scheme applies to public, private and voluntary nursing homes. The total gross budget for long-term residential care in 2012 is €994.7 million. A further 1,037 people had been allocated funding but had not yet taken up a bed. This could be for a variety of reasons, e.g. the person may be awaiting a bed in a particular nursing home.
There is nobody on the placement list waiting for funding under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme at present.
Question No. 616 answered with Question No. 614.