Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1465. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the details of the proposed financing model that will be used to fund a statutory scheme for homecare; the way this transition will take place; his views on whether it can be accomplished within budget parameters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63349/21]
View answerWork is ongoing within the Department of Health to progress the development of a statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support services within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms. This work encompasses the development of the regulatory framework for the new scheme; the examination of the options for the financing model for the scheme; and the development of a reformed model of service-delivery for home-support.
The Department is currently developing the evidence base to determine the optimal approach to a funding model for the scheme. As part of this work, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) is undertaking research on behalf of the Department on the potential demand for and cost of home-support. The first report from this research, published in March 2021, focused on the potential demand for such a scheme. The findings contained in the report indicate that there will be a significant increase in the demand for home-support in the coming years and that, relative to a baseline of the provision of 24.7 million hours in 2019, between 3.5 and 8 million additional hours will be required across a range of policy scenarios modelled.
Building on this work, the ESRI is currently undertaking research on the potential cost of introducing such a scheme across a range of funding scenarios. This report is scheduled for publication in Q1 2022. The Department will seek Government approval in due course on any proposed legislation to provide for a funding model for the new home-support scheme, taking into consideration the cost associated with the various options.
