Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is quite right. The first two modules of this work will focus on the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people. We know, for example, that we have 323 day centres operational. We also have an additional 52 dementia-specific day centres, which are really important for people who have a dementia diagnosis but still want to be able to live in their own homes.

Today, more than 56,000 people will receive home care in their homes. It is hugely important to be able to support people to be able to age in place. The Deputy spoke about transport. We know that Local Link, especially in the local areas, is an important facet to support older people. I also wish to mention organisations like Meals on Wheels. More than 2 million meals were delivered in 2023 to approximately 50,000 people. It is so much more than the meal itself. It is the knock on the door and the social connection, like the postman coming.

The commission's envisaged work is very ambitious but it is very timely that we do have a commission on care for older people. We are all ageing day by day. We are all only going in the one direction and everybody wants to be able to live well in their own communities.

See this speech in context