Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will accept that this is a very challenging situation. I accept there have been difficulties for many years now with delayed discharges and the lack of beds, in some cases, to accommodate people who need this kind of attention. I would point out to the Deputy that, as the Minister said this morning, there is not anything new in the information provided in the letter by Dr. O'Connell, who is an eminent medical person. Clearly, he pointed out what is absolutely realistic in the context of older people and the difficulties that are created when we have a backlog situation.

The fact of the matter is that an extra €500 million was provided to fill the overrun in respect of health last year, with about €150 million for the budget for this year. A health service plan was presented and accepted. The Government supports the Minister fully in dealing with the many challenges in the area of health, not least of which is the fact that they are compounded by this particular problem in respect of delayed discharges.

The fair deal scheme, introduced quite a number of years ago, is being reassessed. That report's findings on the effectiveness or otherwise of the fair deal scheme will come before the Government when presented by the Minister. The estimate of the population of over 65s this year is 604,825 and this will rise by 100,000 in the next five years to over 700,000. This is a demographic challenge we face and, as I said, the Minister is reviewing the fair deal scheme. That will set out the options for the State, the costs and some data in respect of mapping for future needs. With over €13 billion in the health system this year, this is a very substantial amount of money but it is an area where the Minister has the support of Government in attempting to manage it in the interests of every patient.

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