Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The majority of people want to age in place. They want to age in their own homes. Working with my colleagues in Government, I have put in place a triangle of supports consisting of home care, day care and meals on wheels. Today, 56,000 people will receive care in the home to support them to age in place. We have 323 day centres open across the length and breadth of the country, plus an additional 52 dementia-specific day centres. We have made great progress in that regard working with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. About 50,000 people will receive meals on wheels today. That service is so much more than a nutritious meal brought to their house; it is also a social connection. As I said, I have done the new design guide. It is worth taking a look at it because it recommends that we use a household model whereby the nursing homes that will be built will have a maximum of 84 beds each. Action has been taken.

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