Ms Breda Crehan-Roche:

I thank the Deputy Hourigan for that question. With regard to home support, I very much welcome the Government’s commitment to home support and home care packages. There has been great investment in it, which is welcome. That is fantastic. We are finding it difficult to recruit workers. We have the money to recruit but it is matter of getting the people. We need to consider innovative ways to recruit. We are competing with the private sector in this area. Sometimes we recruit and as a result of that the private sector loses people. We must make sure the service users are looked after.

On assessments, there is a standard assessment tool. InterRAI is also being used in respect of older persons. As chief officer of CHO west, I have responsibility for people with disabilities. I also have responsibility for older people and for a number of other community supports. We are excited about all of this. In terms of the market, we need to consider how can we recruit and retain people.

The big thing is this is around Sláintecare. This is Sláintecare in action. This is about enabling people to live their choice, their will and preference to live good ordinary lives in their community. We are working with them to do that. Sometimes the funding is there. Unfortunately, the manpower is an issue and we have to start looking at that now. There are all kinds of innovative ways of looking to do that, but certainly it is the bedrock of community. Where people want to live in their homes, we need to be there and support them to do that. That they will direct that care is the important part.

In answer to the question, there is a standard assessment tool. That is for equity and fairness. That would be based on need, which is fair. It is very much based on will and preference and that the person will be enabled to live at home in his or her own home if he or she wishes to do that.

It also applies to some of the people under 65 who are inappropriately placed in nursing homes. With the packages of care, the Ministers of State, Deputies Rabbitte and Butler, are passionate about this area. There has been significant investment and I commend and congratulate the Government on that. It is certainly the way forward. It is around avoidance of hospitals as well. Sometimes people go into hospital who would not if there was that home care package.

It is an exciting time. We are here discussing disabilities today, but I would say the enhanced community care and the integrated care programmes for older persons are about keeping people out of hospitals, helping them to live their choice of life, looking at their needs and enabling them in their will and preference to do that. Certainly, the resources are there. Manpower is an issue.