Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
636. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if it is planned to introduce a statutory home care scheme to support the elderly at home (details supplied); if he has had discussions with the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection on improving the carer’s benefit and carer's allowance scheme conditions and payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8947/20]
View answerA high-quality, consistent home-support service, focused on keeping people well in their homes and communities for as long as possible, is a key enabler to ensuring that people across a continuum of care get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. In this regard, my Department is in the process of developing a statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home support.
Progress on the development of this scheme, including the planned testing of a pilot scheme in 2020, has been impacted by the ongoing work and diversion of resources as part of the response to COVID-19. However, my Department remains committed to bringing forward this work as a priority, taking on board the learning from the response to COVID-19, in order to support people to age well and continue to live independently in their homes for as long as possible.
The State recognises the role that family carers play in society and is committed through a range of healthcare and income supports to support carers in their caring role and alleviate the financial burden of caring. My Department engages with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in the context of the coordination of the National Carers' Strategy and receives regular updates on the provision of income supports for carers in that context.
