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

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions and for bringing this issue to the floor of the House. I very much welcomed the opportunity to, I hope, add some clarity. If I have not done so, or if I have not answered the questions the Deputies asked, I apologise. I am as eager and as anxious as any Deputy to try to get answers. The Government's principal aim is to ensure that funding is allocated at budget time, and to go from €300 million to €450 million, which is a 50% increase, in three to four years is a very significant recognition of the point Deputies made, that is, that home help is very successful. We are now spending more than €400 million on home help and €1 billion on nursing homes. We plan to increase this again and again in recognition of the outstanding service home help provides and the role it plays in keeping people in their own homes for longer.

They are much better off physically, mentally and in every other way as a result. We recognise the contribution of the carers to their community and we want to continue that but the HSE must operate within a finite budget. We must keep a watchful eye on any steps it takes during the year to manage that budget and it is our job as public representatives to ensure the service does not diminish in any way, shape or form.

I have said there is no freeze or embargo but I will clarify what is available. There are 18 million home help hours funded this year, which is an increase of 800,000 from last year. Nevertheless, 6,000 people are still waiting so everybody will be able to produce the letter that Deputy Michael Collins had today. That is unfortunate and I wish there were not 6,000 people waiting but it is a finite budget of €420 million. I would love to see it increased to €600 million so we could wipe out the waiting list but there are competing needs. Tomorrow, we will be here in this same forum debating some other topic that requires more money. I hope to get more money next year and I am confident I will do so. I will continue to invest in home care in absolute recognition of its value to society and our elderly people.

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