Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for this important question. The Government is committed to the delivery of health and social care services that enable older people to live and age well in their homes and communities. The enhanced community care programme aims to implement an end-to-end care pathway that will care for people at home and, over time, prevent referrals and admissions to acute hospitals where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

The integrated care programme for older persons, ICPOP, which the Deputy will know well, seeks to ensure older people with complex care needs can access care quickly, at or near home through care pathways specifically designed for older people and targeting frailty, falls and dementia. To date, 28 ICPOP community specialist teams have been established throughout the country. We often speak about different things that are game changers but in my opinion the ICPOP teams have made such a significant difference.

The Government continues to prioritise investment in home support, day centres and meals on wheels services that support frail older people to live at home. I call it the "triangle of supports". I know the Deputy will be delighted to hear that in 2023 we delivered 22 million hours of home care, which amounts to an additional 3 million hours in the lifetime of this Government. I know there was a huge demand for these services but it is really important that people get this care in their homes. We also have 323 day centres that are now open, including 52 dementia-specific day centres. Meals on wheels services are also important. These services are supporting older people to live well at home.

I am delighted to say that Ireland has the highest life expectancy in the EU, as determined by the World Health Organization. This did not happen by accident. A lot of good work has been done. I will revert in detail about acute hospitals in the next part of my response.

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