Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the Deputies for a very worthwhile debate on this very important matter. It is clear from the comments tonight that there is agreement on the need for reform of home care services and the development of a new statutory home care scheme. I see examples of this in my constituency of Wexford.

It is one of the great success stories of our age that so many more people are living for so much longer. The success achieved in recent decades in improving health and extending life expectancy should be acknowledged and celebrated. However, without doubt, our ageing population poses significant challenges that need to be recognised and addressed across a wide range of areas. Each contributor this evening has definitely highlighted this. This includes ensuring the best possible health and social services are in place to meet the changing needs of people as they age.

It is important that society supports us all as we age, and that when it is needed, access is provided to high-quality health and care services and supports, from primary care through to acute care, community, residential and end-of-life care. Most of the Deputies who contributed from all sides of the House have highlighted some of the greatest examples of the care available to each and every one of our ageing population, including our relatives.

Our health care system must acknowledge that older people, by and large, prefer to stay in their own homes, as Deputy Michael Healy-Rae highlighted, for as long as they can. As the House heard from the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, earlier, we are already looking at how this can be facilitated and supported. Everyone understands and agrees there is no quick fix for this situation. It is critical that the appropriate supports are in place to match each person's needs at whatever point he or she is at in his or her interaction with the health care system. This means providing a range of flexible supports, including better home supports, increased use of technology, supported living models and quality residential care, both short and long-term stay.

The future of home care services affects us all.

As the national positive ageing strategy emphasises, ageing is a lifelong process that does not start at 65 years of age. We all have a responsibility, as individuals and collectively, to ensure that Irish society is age friendly and that Ireland is a good country in which to grow older.

I assure Members that the development of the new home care scheme is being advanced by the Department of Health as a priority. However, Members will appreciate that the development of policy proposals and the legislation to underpin them is a complex undertaking. It is ambitious in its scope and we owe it to future generations to get it right. When one does something one must do it right so one need not revisit it to correct it. The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, has targeted enactment of the required legislation within two to three years. While this timeframe is ambitious, the concern for many is that it will be far too long. Our older people need assistance now, as a matter of urgency. Therefore, I wish to reassure Members that the Government is committed to increasing funding for home care in the coming years, as recommended in the Sláintecare report. The Department of Health will work closely with the HSE to maximise the value of this investment. We are also particularly mindful of the need to support family and unpaid carers. I reaffirm the Government's commitment to the national carers strategy.

I welcome this opportunity to assure the House of the Government's commitment to bring about real and substantial improvement in the provision of home care services. Everybody recognises the great assistance and care that family members give to elderly relatives and friends. It would be remiss of me not to recognise all of the carers as we enter the Christmas season. These people are on 24-hour duty and they deserve recognition. Most of the Deputies have mentioned that elderly people wish to stay in their own homes. They can do so only because of the family members and the care assistants who call to them often three or four times a day or if they are lucky enough to be in receipt of home care packages. Those people deserve recognition as we approach the holy season of Christmas. They are the real heroes who will continue to care for their relatives and friends. I see that in my constituency of Wexford, as other Members do in their communities.

I thank the Deputies for tabling this important motion. I assure them that this is receiving attention from the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, and his officials.

See this speech in context