Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is safe to say the majority of people want to be able to stay at home for as long as possible as they get older. One thinks of one's own mortality at 45 and would like to stay at home while it is safe to do so. However, illness, strokes, heart attacks and debilitating illness get in the way.

Could a model of small, single-level, clustered community units with a communal area for residents and support, as required, be considered as a model between full home care and full residential care? Would the Department be interested in such a model or one where people are at home by day and attend such a facility or nursing home by night, with family supervision, if possible? Much of that depends on supports at home. Not all families have children. Could this model be considered? When will a discussion on future models take place and when will decisions be made on a change in approach?