Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too support the motion. It is important we have a debate on this issue because this is an important service involving important people, as Deputy Healy-Rae and many others said, who deliver these services to our elderly and vulnerable and those who need supports.

We have been on about this so many times. There is a dichotomy in many areas. A couple of years ago, people were all the time trying to get supports and could not get them. Now we talk to the Departments and the Ministers and are told there are heaps of money and we can get approval but we cannot get personnel to do the job. That is an issue and will be an issue going forward. We have to value, respect and support home helps. Many of them travel long distances to spend a short time, maybe half an hour, here or there. That is onerous on them and it is expensive for them to travel.

I also support the management and people in charge but common sense does not always prevail. I raised a case recently with the Minister of State in her constituency. An elderly gentleman - he is 92 years old - had home help from a private service contracted through the HSE. He decided, and rightly so, he wanted to join the HSE and then he was taken away from the family when he qualified.

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