Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I can only interpret from the Minister's reply that he intends to restore the budget to the funding level that pertained prior to 30 August 2012. One can only presume that while he is not saying this clearly, the cuts announced in the Budget Statement of December 2011 for 2012 will stand. Does the Minister accept that the home help hours and home supports being provided are among the most cost-effective elements in the broad health service and that care in the home for people in need of such support generates phenomenal savings? Does he also accept that any deterioration or diminution of this support and service will lead to earlier demand for access to nursing home or similar institutional support, with all the consequential additional costs this will entail? Will he not find in the overall budget the funding required to restore it to the level that pertained prior to January 2012? This would result in the restoration of the 950,000 hours that were taken from home helps in 2012. Ultimately, this issue is one of hours and the hopes and expectations of the many people who have been hurting greatly in recent times.

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