Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2014
442. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health in view of the high number of residents inappropriately placed in nursing homes, partially due to a statutory entitlement to this care, if he intends to introduce a legal entitlement to care in the home-community, which in may cases is the person's preference, is in their best interest and is cost effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30336/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI agree that while there will always be a need for long-term residential care, older people should be supported to stay in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, and this is what they clearly want themselves. It is my policy, and that of the HSE, that only those in genuine need of residential care should go down that route. As a first step, in 2014 €23m has been redirected from long term residential care to strengthen community and home-based services and to develop more flexible and responsive approaches to care. This is in addition to the budget of €315m already provided for home help and home care package services which are delivered to some 56,000 people at any one time.
The currently ongoing Review of the Nursing Home Support Scheme will consider a range of issues, including the way that residential and community care are currently balanced, and whether we need to consider the application of a system of support for community care similar to that now in place for residential care. This Review will be published in the coming months.
