Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Fianna Fáil Party motion. It must be noted, however, that this ill-fated scheme came about under the watch of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government. A case of better late than never. It must also be noted that Sinn Féin flagged serious issues with the funding of this scheme from its inception. Unfortunately, these issues have not been dealt with to date.

I support the reversal of the reduction in support for the fair deal scheme implemented in 2014, as set out in the 2015 HSE service plan. I agree that long-term residential care should be adequately resourced to take account of demographic changes. Furthermore, I call for the €25 million earmarked in budget 2015 for alleviation of delayed hospital discharges to be directed towards dealing with the problems in this scheme in particular. The capping of the funding for the fair deal scheme means that those who are most vulnerable in our society are at great financial and health risk when they are most in need of care.

This situation cannot go on any longer.

Members must ensure these valuable and valued members of society are facilitated to stay in their homes. It is in this setting, with help from family, friends, neighbours and the health and social services provided by the State, that people are most comfortable. The nursing home support scheme was heralded on its launch in 2009 by the then Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, as "accessible, affordable, and anxiety-free". A mere five years later, the so-called fair deal is grinding to a halt in a situation that was completely inevitable from its flawed inception. It is no secret that the Government has failed people from all backgrounds of all ages throughout this State. It should come as no surprise that more than 2,000 older people are waiting for 15 weeks or longer for nursing home care. It is also clear these people also have been failed by the austerity measures implemented by successive Governments. These waiting lists have tripled since January of this year, which is entirely unacceptable. The fair deal scheme budget has been capped for this year and was cut last year, despite Ireland having the fastest growing ageing population in Europe.

Nursing Homes Ireland has stated the excessively long waiting times for State funding for nursing home places is putting patients' health at risk. It claims that some patients have even passed away while waiting for this financial support. What a disgraceful way to treat those most in need. What is the point of Government if not to protect the most vulnerable citizens who elected it? These older people have a right to be cared for after many years contributing to the running of this State. It is Members' duty, as legislators and representatives of the communities which gave them the seats they hold in this Chamber, to ensure that older people do not have to spend their lives worrying, fretting and riddled with anxiety about getting their care needs met.

Moreover, as a result of these delays, older patients are staying in acute hospitals for longer than necessary but must remain there because their complex care requirements cannot be met in their home environment. In 2012, it was estimated that more that 40% of beds occupied in acute public hospitals were taken by people aged 65 and more and 243,512 hospital bed days were lost during 2012 due to delayed discharges. In that same year, the ESRI projected an additional requirement for 888 long-term residential care places per annum to 2021. The situation has become worse each month since then and action must be taken. Nursing home care is provided by dedicated specialists, and an inability to access this in a reasonable timeframe can lead to a deterioration in health. The funding delay is causing financial hardship for some families, who must pay up to €1,000 a week for private nursing care for family members while waiting for payment under the scheme. The solution to this growing problem is not simply an increase in fair deal funding to facilitate admission to nursing homes but must also take into consideration that home care is the preferred option for a majority of people in need. If Members are trying to balance the books, it is also a significantly less expensive option. Investment in social care packages is needed specifically to ensure the ability to transition someone who does not need a hospital bed. This is both beneficial for older people and is cost-effective. In addition, hospital release planning is also required, through links with primary and community services, short-term community nursing home beds, as well as more money for long-term nursing home places. These solutions must be put in place urgently and without any more delay. As mentioned by my colleague, Deputy Ó Caoláin, it is time to move to a rights-based model in which those who need care are entitled to it and can exercise that entitlement, as to do anything else would be to fail them.

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