Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies for raising this issue. I am well aware of the effect not being able to access this type of support quickly has on families, patients and those who are ill and vulnerable. I am well aware of the anxiety and difficulty it can cause. As the Deputies may be aware, we have €445 million worth of funding in the HSE service plan to ensure we have the right level of support in place for our citizens. At the end of June, more than 51,000 patients and families were in receipt of homecare packages. However, I am aware of the issues the Deputies have touched on and I am working with the Minister, Deputy Harris, on them. I take the point that, particularly in the run-up to the end of the year and the winter period, an issue such as this not only causes further difficulty for families and patients, it can also compound the challenges faced by our emergency departments and hospitals throughout the winter period. I thank all of the Deputies for raising the issue.

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