Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. Supporting older people to live and age at home is undoubtedly the best option. There is widespread evidence to indicate that older people prefer to stay in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Admission to long-term, residential care should be seen as a last resort and only be availed of when it is no longer feasible for people to remain in their own communities with appropriate support. Many older people can remain at home for longer if appropriate and adequate supports and services are made available to them. Having older people remain in their communities is not just beneficial for the individual but also for the community as a whole. I am hopeful we will see an increased provision of sheltered housing to bridge the gap between people living in their own home and the move to full-time residential care.

It has been Government policy since 1960 to support older people to stay at home for as long as possible. A commitment in this regard is included in the programme for Government, the national positive ageing strategy and the HSE service plan. Unfortunately, owing to a lack of funding, this vision does not reflect the reality. The HSE's national service plan for 2017 indicates a budget of €940 million for the nursing home support scheme. In a ministerial statement the budget for home help and home care packages was put at €394 million. Home care services, where they are available, are sporadic and inconsistent. This has led to many older people being left with no option but to avail of nursing home care prematurely and at far greater cost to the Exchequer. I fully support the Bill and hope it will result in older people's preference for receiving care and support in their homes and communities being realised.

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