Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her question. Home care services are provided on the basis of assessed health care need and there is currently no means testing. The HSE-funded home help service is delivered predominantly by HSE staff or, in a minority of cases, private and not-for-profit providers. Home care provided as part of the home care package scheme is delivered by HSE home help staff or by arrangements with not-for-profit and private providers who have been selected through a tender process as approved providers.

I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to promoting care in the community for older people so that they can continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible. We propose to establish a statutory home care scheme along with a system of regulation for home care services. On 6 July, the Minister and I announced the opening of a public consultation in this regard. I urge all of those with an interest in home care services to make a submission to the consultation.

The consultation is an important step in informing the development of a statutory scheme for home care, which will introduce clear rules on what services individuals are eligible for and how decisions are made on allocating services. The new scheme will ensure that home care services operate in a consistent and fair manner for those who need them and help to improve access in an affordable and sustainable way. It is also envisaged that a common system of regulation will be introduced for all providers, be they public, not-for-profit or private.

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