Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2016
232. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if reductions in community care supports will be restored due to the fact that the Health Service Executive has claimed that such reductions are negatively impacting on delayed discharge from Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20197/16]
View answerThe HSE’s National Service Plan for 2016 provides for a target of 10.4 million Home Help Hours to support about 47,800 people. It also provides for 15,450 Home Care Packages and 130 Intensive Home Care Packages for clients with complex needs. A further 60 clients with dementia will be supported with co-funding from Atlantic Philanthropies under the Irish National Dementia Strategy.
Home support services across the country are being stretched by demands from more people, and for more hours at times outside of core hours, in the evenings and at weekends, all of which cost more. Activity in the first quarter of 2016 was ahead of the same period last year as efforts continued to alleviate pressure on the acute hospital system.
I am delighted that the Government has been able to respond to this demand by providing an extra €40 million for home care in 2016. This will ensure that the home support services provided in 2015 are maintained and that the rate of service allocation can be maintained during the summer months. €10 million of this money 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 additional resources.
