Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The decision on the operation of the scheme was made by the HSE. The HSE has, since its inception, always been subject to a budget cap and had to maintain delivery of its services within the budget available. There has been no new decision made or any change of policy. I have not instructed or been involved in any change whatsoever. I allocated the HSE funding for 18 million hours to be delivered this year. I do that every year and that is my role. Last year, the allocation was for 17.2 million hours. This year I allocated the HSE funding for 18 million hours but it has to stay within its budget. It had to do that last year and the year before that, albeit with a smaller budget. Home help had to be kept within a budget of €300 million four years ago. It now has to be kept within a budget of €450 million. It has always been thus. It is a finite budget. The HSE does not have flexibility to give the service to everybody who looks for it. It is up to them to manage it on a month-by-month basis and it knows when the peaks and troughs in demand occur. The HSE will have to ensure that it can manage times when there is extra demand as well as it can. That is my role in the decision.

The Deputy asked about an element of co-payment to which I referred. I have said it on the record of the House. Many people could make a contribution to home care and, if those who could did, we could have 25 million home help hours this year instead of 18 million. That would be the difference if those who could make a contribution did so, just like the fair deal scheme.

See this speech in context