Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Has attention been given to establishing a team of people who would be available to provide home care services for those who need it? At present, the process is only set in train when a need is identified. With all the requirements, there is a delay of several months — certainly for Garda clearance the delay is at least two months. In the meantime a patient with an immediate need has to wait for this service to be provided. I have argued with the Health Service Executive in my area that a pool of people must be identified who would be available to give emergency support for somebody in need of care or to take up new opportunities, which need not be confined to care in the home but would also support people with disabilities who need assistance outside the home for walks or whatever the case may be. Has attention been given to that approach to speed up the process?

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