Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

As the House will be aware, the policy of the Department of Health and Children for the development and delivery of services for older people is to maintain them in dignity and independence at home for as long as possible in accordance with their wishes as expressed in many research studies; to restore to independence at home those older people who become ill or dependent; and to encourage and support the care of older people in their community by family, neighbours and voluntary bodies. The role of the home help service is vital to the implementation of this policy.

Following the publication in 1998 of the report, The Future Organisation of the Home Help Service in Ireland, by the National Council on Ageing and Older People, there has been a major step forward in the implementation of the home help scheme from 1999 onwards with the service being provided to an increasing number of older people.

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