Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday the Taoiseach told the House how a decision of the HSE was devoid of common sense and humanity. He also spoke about the commitment in the programme for Government to greatly expand home care packages. Since March of this year, I have been raising the case of a constituent, Mr. Jonathan Leech. Mr. Leech had a fall in October 2016 and the HSE has acknowledged that since then he has been unable to carry out independent daily activities. He requires an intensive home care package to support him. The Centre for Independent Living has made clear that it is in a position to provide that. Those hours - 90 hours - have been approved by the HSE, but no funding is available. As a result Mr. Leech is stuck in the intensive care section of the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Obviously the economics of that makes no sense. My efforts to raise the case and bring it to a sensible solution, as in the case we discussed yesterday, have come to nought. I understand that the HSE has received letters from the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. My question is simple. Is it only through national media that these matters are resolved or will the Government address this case too?

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