Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I thank everyone for the opportunity to address the House on the issue raised by the Deputies who tabled this motion. I begin by echoing the opening remarks of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and thank the Deputies for their constructive and positive contributions to this important motion on the issue of fair and sustainable funding for carers, home support and nursing home support schemes. I make the point, as did my colleague, that the motion is not being opposed. However, before speaking on Government commitments in this area, I take the opportunity to acknowledge the essential work of carers and front-line healthcare workers. Their exceptional diligence and dedication to deliver the highest quality care to some of our most vulnerable citizens is commendable. As a result, individuals have the choice to age in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and I thank them for efforts and expert care.

Work is ongoing to ensure that carers throughout the country are supported. The care they provide is a key enabler for Government policy that supports people to live with dignity and independence at home for as long as possible. As such, it is crucial that supports for family carers are carefully considered. Recognising this, in March 2024, an interdepartmental working group examining supports for family and carers was established. The work of the group will be informed by a broader review of means-testing under way across a number of Departments. The group is chaired by the Department of Social Protection with members from the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The group will report its findings once finalised.

As outlined by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, through the carer's guarantee the Government has increased funding to support carers and to provide new training opportunities to support them in their caring roles. GP visit cards have been made available for those receiving a full- or half-rate carer's allowance or benefit. Funding has been approved under the women's health fund for a project to support mid-life and older women family carers.

Respite continues to be a vital support for carers. The Government is committed to progressively increasing funding for respite services. I have seen in my own area how respite services are so important, and it is important we have those services there, including the home support emergency respite scheme.

Addressing the challenges faced by care workers is also a priority for Government. The implementation of the recommendation of the strategic workforce advisory group has delivered significant reform in the care sector. This has included payment for travel time for home support providers, paying carers the national living wage at a minimum, and the allocation of work permits for home support workers. The work of the group will continue in 2025. Alongside this is the timely legislation being advanced to establish a licensing framework for professional home support services.

Several supplementary work programmes are ongoing. This work seeks to address a variety of areas. The future financing of home support will be an essential area of consideration in the new strategic scheme, or the strategy as we call it. The ESRI's imminent capacity review will help to inform levels of service provision required into the future. It will be a key piece of research for this work. The development of a reformed model of service delivery for home support is also under way. The HSE is in the process of procuring a comprehensive ICT system, which will facilitate robust monitoring and planning of HSE home support services. Initiatives exploring the effectiveness of home support and the rural provision of home support are being advanced, including research into the use of assistive technologies in home support. This is the way forward.

The Government will continue to ensure the nursing home sector is funded. Investment in the nursing home support scheme - the fair deal scheme as we all know it - now stands at more than €1.2 billion. It has provided access to nursing home care to many people who will never have to pay more than they can afford. Legislative changes have taken place to expand the scope of the scheme, making the scheme more accessible for farm and business owners who require long-term residential care.

I will highlight something a lot of my colleagues have spoken about. I have spoken about it myself through the years. A commitment to address means-testing is in the programme for Government, and I know it is crucial. I will go back to the Minister to speak about this. The issue of means-testing of carers is in the programme, and it is something we are committed to. I will highlight it with the Minister. I know there are the other changes and staffing challenges within the sector. That was also brought up this morning. The other thing, as Deputy Crowe has said, is that 98% of the workers are women.

It is important, as the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, said, that we acknowledge today the work that carers throughout the country do. It is so important that we recognise that and work to deliver on what we have promised in the programme for Government. I acknowledge the input of all Deputies this morning. This is a vital area of work. It is clear to me that we are all motivated to ensure that services for older people are funded. That the services are funded and that carers are supported was a priority today. I echo my colleague, Deputy O'Donnell, by saying the Government is committed to delivering on this. This is demonstrated by the work this Government is currently engaging in, and that is the work we will continue. I thank everyone. The motion is not being opposed.

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