Ms Frances Spillane:

Senator Colette Kelleher spoke of the importance of taking account of people's preference to live at home for as long as possible. We are familiar with the excellent Age Action report to which the Senator referred. Similarly, when we designed the consultation process we were anxious to hear the views of people who avail of services and we went to great trouble to offer an easy read version of the questionnaire. The responses received represent a good cross-section of opinion. As indicated, we can provide members with some details of the survey if they would consider that helpful.

Senator Kelleher also referred to the large number of carers who are waiting anxiously for the scheme. The research done by the Health Research Board makes clear that the formal home care schemes provided in other countries are very much viewed as complementary to family carers. Ideally, one engages in extensive consultation and takes account of people's views when offering a service to an individual. We would like to move in that direction and we are examining this issue in the disability sector through the task force on personalised services. Many of the lessons emerging from the task force's work are relevant to this area also.

Senator Kelleher also asked a question on the budget for home care. The home care budget for 2017 is €373 million compared with €940 million for the nursing homes support scheme. Funding for the former equates to approximately 40% of funding for the latter. The Senator also asked how the home care budget for 2017 compared with the budget for 2018. As I indicated, an additional €37 million is being provided for older people's services. A significant proportion of this - probably two thirds of the total - will be for home care.

I do not have a specific figure on funding for dementia but I can check this for the Senator. The Department is in discussion with the HSE on the service plan. If the Senator wishes, we will provide the figure in writing at a later stage. As she will be aware, we have the scheme of intensive home care packages specifically for dementia and these have worked out very well.