Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is important to point out that the programme, which I did not see, that was broadcast last night alleged that the lack of regulation in the home care sector leaves the recipients vulnerable to abuse. I understand four cases were highlighted. It is important to point out that any individual case where less than professional and caring services are provided is something which nobody in a position of responsibility would stand over. Therefore, there has to be a full investigation by the managers of the services in the HSE into all of these areas and a review must take place in order that they can confirm that clients who are in receipt of these services at local level are obtaining those services in a way that we all would expect.

There are a range of services available in community settings for people who require them. They include home helps, meals on wheels, day care, respite care and home care packages, as they are known. The majority of these are provided by the HSE and some by the voluntary or private sectors. Provision is in place for any complaints to be dealt with. A helpline which was set up this morning as a result of the programme received approximately 54 calls by noon, nine of which related to complaints that clients or their families had, which will be followed up. That complaints procedure is available to everyone who wishes to use it.

Regarding the question of making sure that a uniform level of care or access to services are provided, the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, Deputy Brady, has indicated that work has been continuing on this. In the new year the publication and implementation of national guidelines and procedures for the standardised implementation of the home care packages scheme and quality guidelines for home care support services for older people will be available, which we would all welcome. It is important that those guidelines and standards are proactively promoted.

There are members of the Home Care Association against which no particular case was impugned. People are providing a good service. However, anywhere, any instance or any day where people are treated with less than the dignity that we would expect for our people is not welcome or acceptable. The standards of care need to be of the highest professional standards at all times. The review that is being undertaken will assist in that.

Approximately 9,500 people are in receipt of home care packages at any one time, and 13,000 are in receipt of it annually. Some 80,000 people use more than 21,300 day care and respite care places in our system. Some 54,000 people are in receipt of help under the home health scheme, where hours of care are provided by neighbours and others. Given the spectrum of care available and the need that varies from individual to individual we need a flexible, proportionate response to make sure that people are being cared for and that neighbourliness is being encouraged.

Many people who are still in a community care setting require high standards of care and are attended by district public health nurses, others and people in the area we are discussing. The standard of professional care that we expect is of the highest level at all times and any digression from that must be dealt with and investigated thoroughly.

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