Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

Will the Deputy let us know if he has a magic wand or is doing something we are not? As I explained, the Government must comply with the relevant EU directive. Officials from the Department and the HSE are working with the Revenue Commissioners and officials from the Department of Finance to see if there is some way to overcome the issue.

We appreciate the value of home care packages and the wonderful work that is being done in this area. In last year's budget, the amount of money available for this service was almost trebled. This resulted in an increase in the number of packages available from 1,100 in 2005 to 3,000 this year. These services keep people out of hospitals and facilitate the early discharge of elderly patients. They are provided by several providers, including the HSE. We are keen to see a situation where this service could be provided VAT free, which would make it more affordable for families. It would also mean the Government would be in a position to provide more home care packages.

We showed our commitment in last year's budget which included a major investment in this service. That investment will continue.

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