Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2007
163 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of community supports in place for older people in order to remain in their own home; if older people who have full-time carers provided by the Department of Social and Family Affairs avail of community supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12158/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of Services for Older People is a priority for the Government. This is reflected in the funding committed to services for older people in Budgets 2006 and 2007. Last year, the Government funded the largest ever expansion in services for older people with a full year cost of €150m. This year a full year package of €255m has been allocated for services for older people. This gives a total of over €400m added to services for older people over two years. These include community supports — Home Care Packages, Home help Scheme and Respite Care.
Government policy in relation to older people is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and, where this is not possible, to support access to quality long-term residential care. This policy approach is renewed and developed in the latest partnership agreement, Towards 2016.
In 2006 a total of 2,000 extra Home Care Packages were provided at a full year cost of €55 million (prior to this date only 1,100 packages had been in operation on a pilot basis). A similar increase in the number of packages will be provided in 2007, benefiting some 4,000 people. An additional €21 million was provided for 2007 to fund the cost of some 780,000 additional home help hours in 2007. This brings the total funding allocated to home helps to approximately €171 million per annum.
Among the areas where funding has been provided are day care and respite care which are an integral part of delivering a comprehensive community service for older people. Day care and respite care offer respite for family members and/or carers and provide social stimulation in a safe environment for older people. The provision of an additional €9 million in 2006 allowed for 1,325 additional places per week in these centres together with additional programmes for specific needs such as activity therapy. It also means that many day care centres can increase the number of days per week they open. Additional funding of €3.5 million provided in Budget 2007 will cater for a further 1,100 day places per week in day care centres.
Home Care Packages and other community based services are available following an assessment of need. Older People who have full time carers will be granted community based services if they are deemed to have a need and qualify.
