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Home Care Packages Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2019

Tuesday, 8 October 2019

Questions (271, 272)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

271. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding certainty of sufficient funding for supported care homes to enable the continuation of the provision of cost efficient care for residents; if he will consider a 50% increase of current funding levels for supported care homes in advance of budget 2020 to meet urgent needs such as annually increasing energy costs, depreciation costs which have never previously been covered (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40841/19]

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Bobby Aylward

Question:

272. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on the significant savings supported care homes contribute to the State and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection through non-payment of fuel and living alone allowances and household benefits package and the provision of cost effective care; his views on the inspection of supported care homes in accordance with standards suitable to the homes and the possible establishment of a group consisting of HIQA, representatives of the supported care homes and the HSE with the purpose of constructing suitable inspection guidelines within the next six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40842/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 272 together.

A key principle underpinning Government policy is to support older people to live in their own home as long as possible.

There will, however, always be people whose needs are best met in a residential care setting or supported housing model. There are 10 Supported Care Homes in Community Healthcare Organisation Area 5 providing accommodation and support services to older people with low to medium dependency levels. The residents cannot be maintained independently at home, but do not yet require nursing home care.

The HSE acknowledges the role played by these Homes in reducing possible admission to nursing homes and I have been assured by the HSE that it is committed to ensuring Supported Care Home are supported. The HSE will provide about €2.5 million in Section 39 funding this year towards the operational costs of the Homes.

HIQA is the independent statutory body established to register and inspect all residential homes for older people. The current regulatory regime aims to ensure the provision of high-quality, safe and effective services to people living in these centres, whether they are nursing homes providing 24-hour nursing care or supported care homes for people with lower dependencies.

As people get older, their housing needs may change. Earlier this year the Government published a Policy Statement “Housing Options for our Aging Population” which provides a policy framework to support our aging population through increasing the accommodation options available to them and give them meaningful choice in how and where they choose to live. It also sets out a package of key actions to assist the development of models of supported housing that promote integration between housing and health and social care services.

An Inter-Departmental and Inter-Agency Implementation Group has been established to progress the programme of actions contained in the policy statement. This will assist in developing a menu of solutions which are available nationally to provide enhanced housing and support options for older people.

The level of funding available to supported care homes is being considered in the context of the Estimates and the National Service Plan for 2020.

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