Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I think the answer confirms what I was saying. For instance, the Minister of State talked about 25% being provided by the private sector. My understanding is that in other areas, it is far higher than 25%. The concern I have is the fact that it is confirmed that only 25% is provided by the private sector. I said to the Minister of State that three years ago, more than 1,800 people were working in the HSE providing home care. More than 400 people left for various reasons because it was a tough time for anyone providing home care during the Covid period. The Minister of State has confirmed to me that there are now only 1,495. In fact, all of the places that became vacant have not been filled, yet we are still only bringing in the private sector for 25%.

I will give one example. I have a case where someone was 90 years of age, living on their own and having to use a walking frame to move around their own house. All they got in home care was one hour per week. This issue needs to be reviewed by the HSE in the Cork-Kerry region. Can we provide additional hours by engaging with the private sector and also making sure that we can provide them in a timely manner?

Remember that the cost of a nursing home bed in the HSE is €1,800 per bed per week. When provided by the private sector in a private nursing home, it is around €1,150 per bed per week. One could provide an awful lot of home care for €1,800 per week. That is why I am saying that where people need additional hours, we should be trying to provide them so that families do not have to decide that the only option is for Mary, Michael or Pat to have to go into a nursing home. It is really important that we work towards getting the additional hours and getting support for people to keep them in their own homes for as long as possible.

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