Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2012
14. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will set out in precise terms how he will honour the commitment given (details supplied) in the wake of the budget to restore the core community services of home help hours and home care packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57006/12]
View answerThe Government remains firmly committed to supporting vulnerable older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Mainstream Home Help and enhanced Home Care Package services are core to not only supporting vulnerable older people's preferred wishes, but also to reducing pressures elsewhere in the wider care system. The demand for these services, and for additional community based supports such as Meals-on-Wheels and Day or Respite Care, will continue as the demographics, and complex needs, of older people change.
The capacity of the Health Service Executive to provide approved levels of home support services is continually reviewed in the context of overall resources available at particular times. Notwithstanding the recent reduction in HSE home support provision towards the end of this year, to address overall urgent funding pressures, investment in these services will still be significant. All measures are taken by the HSE to ensure that as many people as possible receive a prioritised service, in line with assessed individual needs.
The matters raised by the Deputy are being considered at present in the context of finalising the HSE Service Plan for next year. This is due be published in the near future, in line with agreed procedures and time frames. However, as clearly indicated recently in relation to Social Care services under Budget 2013, the Government will next year restore to 2012 levels core provision of home help, home care packages and personal assistant hours. As is the case with all aspects of HSE Service Plans, these services will be reviewed on a regular basis, in the context of achieving agreed targets or taking account of evolving circumstances over the course of 2013. The Local Health Offices will continue to allocate and monitor services as normal. This includes, at individual recipient level, regular assessment and reviews, to ensure that prioritised resources are directed towards the most vulnerable.
