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

Yes. I appreciate and understand that. The only way we can proceed is to look at how we do what we do and look at doing it differently. That is the reason we launched a consultation last October which is due on my desk before the end of this month. We are going to have to revise the home care scheme which is not working as it is, given that we cannot meet the demand that is growing incrementally. Issues arise on two fronts. A total of €409 million is being invested in home care this year. However, we cannot get enough people to work as home helps to deliver the services in many areas. That is the challenge in my area of west Cork; it is not about money. The challenges are multifaceted. We must examine the scheme and we are in the process of doing so. The consultation has closed and has been finalised. As soon as it gets to my desk I will begin the process of revising the scheme and seeking to fix the flaws. It took seven to eight years to address the fair deal scheme and it will take two to three years before we have a system that is fit for purpose.

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