Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, who had to leave. In his opening statement the Minister of State agreed with many of the sentiments expressed in the motion. It reflects work that is, hopefully, well under way. It is one of the great success stories of our age that so many more people are living for 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, and those challenges need to be recognised and addressed across a wide range of areas. This includes ensuring that the best possible health and social services are in place to meet the changing needs of people as they age.

To the Opposition Deputies and those that have already spoken, I speak as someone who had an elderly mother who was cared for at home by my two brothers. I know only too well how important family is in times of need in respect of elderly people. Not every family, unfortunately, can have that service at home so they rely on services from the community as well. Home supports are crucial to helping older people, and people of all ages with particular care needs, to remain where they want to be, namely, at home in the surroundings with which they are most familiar and comfortable. Regarding resources, the HSE will spend approximately €420 million on home care packages in 2018.

I recognise some of the issues raised and also that most Deputies spoke in support of the 550 home care support packages that will be available for winter time. That is a step in the right direction. I acknowledge, however, that the process of approving carer's allowance application is taking a long time and we need to speed it up. I receive many calls on this issue. I agree with Deputy Shortall on the support provided by community care services and other organisations on the ground that do so much with so little acknowledgement. One of those in my area, the Mother McAuley centre in Drimnagh, deals with elderly people every day. I acknowledge the work done at the centre, not only by the people from the community who run the service but also the many volunteers.

Many more of our older people with complex care needs are now being maintained at home, leading to increased demand for additional levels of service and for services outside of core hours from Monday to Friday. We want to develop home care services and we are working to provide a more viable alternative to nursing home care for a greater number of people. Demand for community services is rising as more people are supported in their homes rather than in hospitals or nursing homes. The HSE funds a range of community supports aimed at supporting older people at a cost of approximately €300 million annually. These include short-stay beds, day care centres, meals on wheels and other services.

As I indicated, the Government agrees with many aspects of the motion. Our health care system must acknowledge that older people by and large prefer to stay at home for as long as they can. We are already looking at how that preference can be facilitated and supported. 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 healthcare system. This means providing a range of flexible supports focused on prevention and early intervention and providing the greater portion of care in the community.

I acknowledge again the contributions of many Deputies on this matter. I give my full support to finding solutions for the many issues raised by all of the speakers. The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, told me before he left that he will also support the motion.

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