Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

While I understand the Minister of State is reading a script, on a personal note, what does he say to families who are left in this situation and who are clearly facing a crisis? I do not know of any family who would be able to pay €20 an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a package that, in this case, would allow a woman to stay in her home. A huge burden is being put on such families and we are a bit light in our response to those in that situation. Can anything be done? Will additional funding be made available to community healthcare organisation, CHO, 7, the area where this woman is located? If it will, when will it be released?

During the week, the Taoiseach said additional funding was coming down the line. While that would be one way to help, we need to look at the bigger picture if we are serious about our ageing population and about supporting those who will clearly have support needs. If our overall policy is to try to keep people in their homes for as long as possible, we need supports. This family are in crisis and there are no real answers for them here today. I am awaiting a reply from the Minister but I know he will kick it back to the HSE, which does not have the answers.

It sounds like a whinge but I do not know where to go with this. The family have come to me thinking I have the answers. I am coming here today asking the Minister of State whether he has the answers, but it is clear that, collectively, we do not. I am sure the Minister of State will go back to the Minister. We need an answer specifically in regard to those who are getting on in age but who are distressed by the idea of having to stay in hospital. Even where there is a loving family who want to take such people home, they need some sort of support. If we can do that and come up with some sort of solution for families like this, it will be a good day's work for us. While I am concentrating on one family, I realise there are probably thousands of families in the same situation.

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