Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2017
193. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the actions he plans to take in order to address the shortfall in home help hours in counties Laois and Offaly; the amount allocated under budget 2018 for home help in these counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47516/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall funding for Services for Older People nationally is €765 million in 2017 with €367m for direct funding of Home Help and Home Care Packages. A further €9m supported by HSE and Atlantic Philanthropies will provide Intensive Home Care Packages (IHCPs) for people with more complex needs. The HSE’s National Service Plan for 2017 provides for a target of 10.57 million Home Help Hours to support about 49,000 people, 16,750 Home Care Packages and 190 Intensive Home Care Packages for clients with complex needs supported with co-funding from Atlantic Philanthropies. This represents a significant increase on home care in comparison to last year’s Service Plan, which had an original target of 10.4 million hours home help and 15,450 Home Care Packages.
Budget 2018 has provided additional resources for Services for Older People and a significant proportion of this additional funding will go towards home care services. The Department is working with the HSE to prepare the 2018 National Service Plan. Pending agreement of the Plan I am not in a position to comment either on the funding or the specific services that will be provided.
In relation to service levels in the specific counties mentioned, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
