Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

8 o’clock

My parents are in their 80s. They live at home. They would not want it any other way and nor would I. I believe that living at home is every elderly person's first preference. It is where they feel safe, where they know best and where they feel happiest. They continue their independence, they are close to their family and they remain a part of their community.

I understand that living at home is, unfortunately, not an option for all. Some older people require care and assistance and the Government must strive to ensure that appropriate and varied accommodation options and services are offered to those who want to stay at home and those who need the support of a nursing home. Older people who have worked all their lives and helped this country through previous recessions deserve fair, equitable and affordable treatment.

For years we have all been told that Ireland will have an aging population. This means a greater demand for services and accommodation assistance. The fair deal scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. To date, I would say that the scheme has been a success but with an aging population and increasing demand that exceeds the funding that can be released we are, unfortunately, looking at waiting times. While I strongly disagree with waiting times of 15 weeks, I believe we should look at how we can provide a continuum of care and, perhaps, a more appropriate funding scheme for older people in Ireland - I refer to care complete with the appropriate care services and even social activities that would prevent isolation and loneliness for older people.

Let me emphasise here that the Government spends a large amount on this scheme - nearly €1 billion each year. To be precise, it is €939 million this year. The Government is committed to providing for old people. We cannot have situations known as bed-blockers or those involving the inappropriately placed older person.

The fair deal scheme alone cannot address all these problems that are relevant for the elderly and the sick. Reductions of €35 million have been made in this year's scheme but €23 million of this funding has been allocated instead to alternative community services. These services can deliver a greater range of care options, prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and provide rehabilitation to support the older people to return home. Some €10 million has been allocated to provide intensive home-care packages, a welcome move. Many older people want to stay at home and this funding will ensure their continuum of care, their happiness and continued well-being. A further €10 million has been allocated to address funding shortfalls in the provision of public short-stay beds. Some €3 million has been also allocated to commission 25 intermediate transitional care beds. These steps will help to ensure a holistic approach to providing care for older people. They will help ease the pressure of demand on the fair deal scheme and it will help provide for alternatives.

I welcome the review of the scheme which is currently under way. However, I have been given detailed information that care in private nursing homes is cheaper to deliver than care delivered in public nursing homes. Why is this? It is also essential that this review considers not only the future funding and sustainability of the scheme, but also how community and residential services are balanced.

The well-being and continuum of care for the older person must continue to be the key focus of the Government. I know that the Minister, as a doctor, wants the best for the elderly.

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