Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 October 2012
231. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will maintain, develop and enhance home care front line services in order to keep people at home longer and lesson the financial burden on our hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42438/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Mainstream Home Help and enhanced Home Care Package services are core to not only supporting vulnerable older people's preferred wishes, but also to reducing pressures elsewhere in the wider care system. The demand for these services, and for additional supports such as Meals-on-Wheels and Day or Respite Care, will continue as the demographics, and complex needs, of older people change.
The capacity of the Health Service Executive to provide approved levels of home support services is continually reviewed in the context of overall resources available at particular times. However, this has been a challenging year for the health services generally, including trying to maintain services to older people in line with evolving resource pressures.
Notwithstanding the recently announced reduction in HSE home support provision over the remainder of the year, investment in such services will still be significant, with expenditure of around €335 million expected to be incurred for Home Help and Home Care Packages this year. All measures are being taken by each Local Health Office to ensure that as many people as possible continue to receive a prioritised service, in line with assessed individual needs. The objective of reducing pressures on the Acute Hospitals and the Long Term Residential Care systems is also being addressed by the HSE in the context of various on-going operational improvements to enhance the quality and focus of its home support services.
