Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016
555. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate additional funding to ensure that new applicants can avail of home help assistance and home care packages; the present funding arrangements for both schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19534/16]
View answerThe HSE provides home support services, either directly or through service agreements with private and voluntary sector providers, to assist older people to live independently in their own homes. In addition to the mainstream Home Help Service, enhanced home care is provided through the Home Care Packages (HCP) Scheme. The core resources allocated for these services in 2016 were in the region of €304m. A further €27m is held in the Primary Care Directorate providing posts such as nursing, case managers, therapy posts and aids and appliances to assist older people to remain at home.
The revised health estimate for 2016 has increased the resources available for home care services by €40m; of which €20m will be allocated to ensure that the 10.4 million home help hours, 15,450 home care packages, 130 intensive home care packages and 313 transitional care beds provided in 2015 are maintained; €10m will ensure that the rate of service allocation can be maintained during the summer months; and €10m has been ring fenced for home care as part of the new winter initiative. The targets for 2016 will be reviewed in light of these extra resources.
