Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

It is understood that the home help hours figure for 2001 was similar to that of 2003. However, the total number of home help hours provided in 2002 included once-off hours, arising from the national home help agreement 2000, for annual leave and training and other elements of the service relating to the agreement. Therefore, the 2002 figures reflect both the core service hours for that year and the additional once-off arrears relating to previous years. There have been significant increases in the investment in the home help service since 2002. Some €95.7 million was spent on the service in that year and it is estimated that €120 million will be spent this year. That represents an increase of 25%. As the home help service is a flexible service that responds to clients' needs, the level of service required in individual cases fluctuates from time to time. The service is targeted at high and medium dependency clients, in accordance with their assessed needs, to ensure that an effective prioritisation of the service assessments is undertaken at local level and carried out in all cases by the HSE's public health nursing services.

I am aware that Deputy Moynihan-Cronin has taken a particular interest in this matter. I agree that the home help service has been a wonderful success and has brought great benefits to those who are targeted by it. Those involved in the service appreciate what is being done. The jobs that are done might be quite small in some cases, but small things make a great difference to the quality of life of the people who receive them. As I have explained, the Government has increased its investment in the home help service. All the studies show that people are much happier in their own homes. The home help service allows many men and women to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. It becomes impossible for them to stay in their homes in some cases, unfortunately, and they have to move on to long-term care. Our experience has taught us that the home help service works.

The Government will continue to support and expand the scheme, which offers exceptionally good value for money. Not only does the service benefit older people and carers, but it also solves a number of problems in our hospitals, for example by freeing up beds. The Government appreciates the participation of so many people in the scheme, which is working well. It intends to continue to develop the scheme by investing more money in it.

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