Budget 2021 and the subsequent Health Service Executive National Service Plan allowed for an unprecedented increase in investment in home care and intermediate care to be delivered in the community. This high level of investment is being maintained into 2022. Details of how this will be delivered in 2022, including the additional 5 million home support hours provided for in Budget 2021, to be maintained in 2022, will be finalised as part of the National Service Plan process. In addition
the proportion of hours ringfenced for people with dementia will more than double, from 5% in 2021 to 11% in 2022.
Furthermore, Budget 2022 has provided for €30m in new developments or enhancements for services for older people. These are primarily focused towards improvements in dementia service provision and the ongoing implementation of the recommendations of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel.