Joe Flaherty
Question:198. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the main measures for older persons services in the Health budget for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50710/21]
View answerTuesday, 19 October 2021
Questions (198)
Written answers
A total of €2.33 billion has been allocated to older persons services in Budget 2022. Areas of priority are dementia support and service provision, home support, the implementation of the recommendations of the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel and the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which enhances accessibility and affordability of the Scheme for more farm and business-owning families.
€30 million will be provided for new developments, with €7.3 million of this funding for the further improvement of dementia services in the areas of memory assessment, memory technology resource rooms, the implementation of the dementia registry and audit within acute hospitals and the national intellectual disability memory service. €17.6 million will be allocated for the implementation of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report, with a focus on Community Support Teams, safe staffing and safeguarding of residents.
The €150 million funding secured in 2021 for 5 million additional hours of home support has been maintained for 2022. However, the proportion of hours ringfenced for people with dementia will more than double, from 5% in 2021 to 11% in 2022. Developments will also be progressed in the areas of falls and fractures liaison services and intensive home support packages.