Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take on board what the Deputy says and I will bring back her exact views to the Minister. The Government did improve access to home support services as a priority. Last year we did provide €150 million for these services. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of supporting the most vulnerable in society to be cared for in their own homes for as long as possible. It is of the utmost importance that all individuals accessing home support are provided with a high quality level of care which is safe and person-centred.

The statutory home support scheme is a key enabler to providing more alternatives to nursing home care and a wider opportunity for people to live fuller more independent lives. The scheme will provide for the financing and regulation of home support services in order to provide equitable access to high quality services based on a person’s assessed care needs. The system of regulation will ensure public confidence in the service provided, as well as safeguarding service users.

The sector probably needs a lot more pay. Such increases will be part of the Minister's deliberations on the budget. It is very difficult to attract people into the sector and I agree that they probably need more reimbursement. The funding is there, and I hope that all the stakeholders will be able to work to try to attract people because it is a very difficult job, but it is also necessary to keep people in their own homes away from the front-line services.

The Department of Health is examining the potential demand and costs of introducing this scheme. Following that, work will be undertaken to examine the associated workforce requirements for the introduction of such a scheme. I understand officials from the Department will engage with all the relevant stakeholders and the other sectors as required. It is an issue we hear about as politicians across the country, and we need to address it.

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