Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of boarding out regulations which comes under SI 225 of 1993. As the date suggests, these regulations first came into operation in 1993. They allow for individuals or families to take care of elderly people in their own home. This is suitable for an older person who is not able to live independently or with family members of their own, or does not want to live alone.

Boarding out is not suitable for the care of people who need high levels of medical support but it can reduce social isolation. It makes use of family homes rather than expensive residential facilities. It saves the State money while also fostering independence and well-being. The regulations have not been updated since 1993. A review was conducted ten to 12 years ago but very little change was made to the scheme.

Providers are contracted by the HSE to provide care for up to six elderly people in their own home. The CHO decides on the amount to be paid to the provider each week. Each resident also pays an amount of money to the provider which is decided by the HSE. Providers are asking that the regulations, which have been in place for 28 years and which have not been updated in over 12 years, be reviewed; that the weekly contribution from the HSE be increased and standardised across CHO areas; that the amount paid by the older person be standardised; that the number of residents allowed per house be increased; and that income tax concessions be updated. This care model is much more economical than the nursing home model. Older residents can stay in the community and live much more independent lives. This supported housing option for the elderly is strongly supported by Alone, the charitable organisation for older people.

Currently, the amount paid by the HSE towards the care of residents varies from €110 in one CHO area to €165 in another. Residents are asked to pay a fee which can vary from €140 in one CHO area to €180 in another. Problems arise when residents from different CHO areas are living in the same house and are paying different amounts from their pension. Providers are also receiving different amounts for each person in their care, again depending on which CHO area they come from. The amount the HSE pays for each resident and the amount residents pay towards their care should be standardised across all CHO areas in the interests of fairness. The amount contributed by the HSE must also be increased. It has not increased in more than 12 years and the cost of living has risen immensely in that time and in the last year in particular, the cost of food has risen considerably. I ask that the maximum number of residents permitted under the scheme be increased from six to nine. The taxation system needs to be amended to enable host families to avail of tax exemptions similar to those available under the rent a room scheme or the foster care legislation. Similar schemes exist in the UK. A submission could be made to the Revenue Commissioners to enable host families to avail of the tax exemptions currently available under the rent a room scheme.

I first contacted the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, on this issue last September and he advised me to speak to the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, Deputy Butler, which I did. I emailed details to her and have pursued this issue regularly. I put the proposals I have just outlined to officials in the Department of Health for assessment but I have not heard back from them. If the officials need more information or want to talk to people involved in this, that can be arranged. I sincerely hope this statutory instrument can be examined and updated.

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