Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Scanlon and I take his point on the economic argument. There are strong indicators that it is the sensible thing to do. We also have a situation where people now live longer than they have ever done in the history of the State. Success in improved health and extended life expectancy has been achieved in recent decades and every year there is an increase of 20,000 in the over-65 population. There is an obvious need to provide high quality and flexible services that not only best meet the needs of individual clients, but also reduce pressures elsewhere on the health system. This is another argument. Social care services, including home care, day care and respite, are an important component in enabling people to remain living at home and participating in their own communities. They also provide valuable supports to carers.

We are aiming to improve home support services so people can remain living with confidence, dignity and security in their own homes. While the existing service is delivering crucial support throughout the country, I recognise that home support services need to be augmented to better meet the changing needs of our citizens. The Department is engaged in a detailed process to develop a new stand-alone statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home support services. This is a point on which the Deputy spoke strongly. This scheme is a key action under the Sláintecare implementation strategy, along with improving and developing supports in the community. I will raise the Deputy's valuable points with the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly.

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