David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 39:

In page 10, line 20, to delete "(including a personal social service)" and substitute the following:

", including a personal social service, such as home care, respite care, personal care and social supports,".

As the section is worded, it is unclear what constitutes a personal social service. We do not know what constitutes such a service and the Bill does not define it. Will such a service mean the full range of home care, personal care and social supports required to implement the objectives of services for older people and other people with disabilities? The objectives of services for older people aim to restore those people who become ill or dependent to independence at home, to encourage support in the care of the elderly and other people with disabilities in their own communities by family, neighbours and voluntary bodies in every way possible and to provide a high quality of hospital and residential care for elderly people and other people with disabilities when they can no longer be maintained with dignity and independence in their own homes.

Older people constitute approximately 42% of people with disabilities in Ireland and they constitute an important proportion of people with disabilities and the disabled population. The National Council on Ageing and Older People is concerned that this service should be defined. We do not know what "including a personal social service" means, and it is not stated in the Bill. The phrase is broad and it is important that its definition is spelt out.

The amendment attempts to spell out what constitutes a personal social service by specifying that it includes home care, respite care, personal care and social supports. Perhaps the Minister of State will advise us what he intends a personal service to mean. The Bill states, in page 10, line 20:

"health service" means a service (including a personal social service) provided by or on behalf of the Executive.

Many people are anxious to know what constitutes a personal social service. In this amendment I am trying to define it.

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