Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before I ask my question, I extend our sympathy to the family of the former Deputy, Seymour Crawford, who I understand is being laid to rest today. I offer sympathy to the Taoiseach and his party colleagues. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

This morning, Care Alliance Ireland published a report on the provision and shortcomings of public provision of home care. Its findings are stark and they highlight a shocking reality facing thousands of our most vulnerable citizens in need of care and support.

The report finds that more than 6,000 people are on waiting lists for home-care packages, a finding that was also communicated to my party colleague, An Teachta O'Reilly, in which the HSE acknowledged to her that the number of people waiting for home-care support stands at 6,118. The report states that people are waiting for up to two years in some cases for home-care support and that the average waiting time in one HSE area is six to nine months.

The report also estimates that there is an 18% gap across the board between the number of care hours being provided and those required. In one HSE area only 60% of hours requested are being provided. The figures are absolutely shocking. They are shocking because services have been cut and they remain underfunded.

The report finds that there was a reduction in services between 2009 and 2012 and, most acutely, between 2011 and 2012, under a Fine Gael and Labour Government when there was a reduction of 1.5 million home-care hours.

Despite the service remaining underfunded, no additional resources were allocated for home care supports in next year's budget. That illustrates a complete disregard for the value of home care. As the Taoiseach will be aware, it is one of the most important services provided within the public system. Care delivered in the home is the preferred form of care for most people and their families, particularly older people. The vast majority of older citizens want to live independently and comfortably in their own home for as long as possible. Home care packages are also vital for many with a disability or in medical need.

Providing these packages makes absolute sense socially, but also economically. It saves the State money and frees up resources. Failure to provide adequate care through these packages leaves people stuck in hospitals or forced into residential facilities when they could return home. This has a knock-on effect, contributing to the trolley and waiting list crises in our hospitals as beds are occupied by those who want to, and who are ready to, return home but who are prevented from doing so.

The HSE has said home support services must be delivered within the funding available. The logical solution is to make more funding available. Will the Taoiseach revisit his allocation of funding to provide for additional home care packages next year? Will he, in line with the report's recommendations, move quickly to delivering a fairer, better home care support service?

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