Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I rise to my feet today to answer the Deputy, I am aware that 56,000 people the length and breadth of the country are receiving home care supports. I thank the Government for providing me with a budget of €726 million this year so that people can age in place. It is important for people to receive home care, day care and meals on wheels so that they can live for as long as possible in their own homes.

There are some challenges. The Deputy is quite right. The issue is not funding. The issue is in relation to having staff to support us. I am delighted to announce that, of the 1,000 permits that were issued outside the EU last year, 450 workers have come in to support us delivering home care. They are very welcome.

Last year, we delivered 21.5 million home care hours, the highest ever in the history of the State. When I came into this role, it was 19 million hours. We are building week on week, month on month, but I accept there are challenges. If the Deputy wants to pass on that particular case to me, I will have it looked at.

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