Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to address the care of people in our society, particularly those in need of homecare packages and support. I welcome the increase in the budget of 1 million care hours, which will make a significant difference to many families. However, it does not go far enough. A number of people could not receive homecare packages where I live in County Louth. At the end of July, there were 588 people waiting for homecare packages in community health organisation, CHO, 8, which comprises counties Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath. Of those, over 100 had been clinically discharged from hospital but were unable to go home. I refer to Hannah Donnelly, a young woman has been mentioned in this House before and is close to the hearts of the people of Drogheda because they know and support her and her family. She has significant medical needs. On 5 September her family were told that a homecare support package of four hours per week had been approved, but a business case had also been received and accepted. While the HSE realised the importance of reuniting Hannah with her family in a medically supportive environment, it stated it did not have the resources to approve the package. She needs 24/7 care which she is receiving in a hospital bed, but she needs to be at home. It is not good enough and not enough is being done about it.

HSE statistics which were released to me in reply to a parliamentary question show that County Meath has the longest waiting list in its CHO area. There were more people waiting for homecare packages in County Meath on 31 July than there were in counties Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath and Louth combined. There is something very wrong in that regard. I welcome and support the analysis of the Home Care Coalition which highlights that where someone lives can determine what care he or she will receive. It is geographical and people in County Meath are being treated unfairly. I am particularly supportive of Sage Advocacy, ALONE, Sean Moynihan and all carers throughout the country. A commitment was given in the past to statutory homecare provision which I welcomed, but I did not see it mentioned in the Budget Statement. I have no doubt that the commitment is still in place, but I would like the Minister to reiterate it and continue to increase the hours available.

The problem of delayed discharges is not just about not getting a homecare package; in some cases there is also a lack of qualified staff to help people. The State and the HSE need to get more people working in homecare. One of my constituents has been clinically discharged, they but cannot find a skilled person who is available to meet their special homecare needs. I suggest the Government look into opening up special homecare training or upskilling courses in regional colleges or local educational facilities. People who choose to take such courses could be paid a wage on commencing their training in order to minimise the number of delayed discharges, particularly for elderly persons. The majority of those waiting for homecare packages in my area are aged over 65 years. Some might regard them as being in the autumn of their lives and they should be able to go home to spend the important months or years they might have left. Home is where their heart is, with their family and the people who love them. Keeping them in a clinical institution such as a hospital is not good for them or their families and does not make sense.

The budget has achieved many good things. It has increased homecare provision, but it is my firm belief it does not go far enough. I urge people to continue to campaign and put pressure on all of us, including me and Ministers. We all come and go in this House, but the pain of those who cannot get home or the care they need is entirely unacceptable. We must resist the bureaucracy and red tape that prevents them from receiving that care. There are too many bean-counters in the HSE and not enough people who care enough to find the money. When they have to make cuts, they should make them in their offices, rather than among their front-line staff who are not being looked after properly and need to be paid more.

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