Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the commitment in the programme for Government on home help care, with specific reference to the issues emerging in Laois-Offaly. Some people there cannot get home help care and that is delaying hospital discharges. Over 500 people have been approved for home help hours, but they remain wait listed, sometimes for up to seven or eight months. Some of those who are receiving a service get only half an hour two or three times a week when it is clear that they need more support than that to remain in their homes. A major issue has emerged in the past few months in relation to holiday cover. Three separate cases were raised with my constituency office this morning. When the regular home help provider goes on holiday, no cover is provided. I am referring here to people with high-dependency care needs.

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