Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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What does that mean? When considering those who may be watching these committee meetings, I am very conscious that we are talking about very high figures and staying within budget. The importance of that is well-known, but what does that mean for people? I met HSE officials last weekend and was told that 250 people in County Donegal who had been approved for home help packages were not getting them because the HSE cannot meet the needs of the public, the reason being the Minister's demand that it stays within allocated resources. The HSE told me that when the resources were allocated last year it immediately stated it would be impossible to deliver the service with the resources provided. There are a number of factors at play, for example, the transport cost of home helps is now factored in so recorded spending on home care is not all for face-to-face services being delivered. The implementation of that change amounts to a cut of 1,000 hours per week. The HSE is putting a freeze on the allocation of home help hours until the end of August, when there will be a review. I could go into personal stories such as that of a 90 year old woman living in rural Donegal who will not get the home care package approved for her three months ago.