Results 6,961-6,980 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Everyone knows that the cost of care of the elderly has increased dramatically and will continue to do so. However, the individual contribution will be based on income and assets. At the time of receiving care, the individual will be expected to contribute 80% of his or her disposable income. Contained in the documents provided yesterday were details of the calculations, how the figure is...

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know where Deputy Kenny has got the notion that the Exchequer is no longer funding care for the elderly.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This year, the State's expenditure on long-term residential care is €648 million. There has been an additional——

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny asked me a question. Deputies should stop interrupting.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In addition, €117 million will be provided in 2007. Some €85 million of that amount will support improvements in subventions and the balance will be used for the provision of 1,250 beds, mostly public, during 2007 and 2008.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The amount of €85 million was added in anticipation of the care support scheme. Residential care is only one part of long-term care that requires funding. Care in the community — while the Deputy has claimed it is not present, it is — also needs to be funded.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There has been an increase of €400 million in services for older people in the past two years, all of which——

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——has been used in respect of staff to look after the elderly in the community. There is a whole range of new HSE facilities for the elderly across the country, which I am sure Deputy Kenny has seen in his travels.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The facilities are staffed by nurses and others.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Home help services are operating——

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——and will continue to provide care to people at home.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: They will require additional funding over the years. Yesterday, the Minister made it clear that she envisages a further expansion in home-based care.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We have made provision for a large increase in the number of professionals in all of the related services so that we will have a greater cadre of people in terms of occupational therapy, physiotherapy and other health professions. Far from——

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I can understand why the Opposition does not want to hear about the services or the figures.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Unlike the old system in which someone would need to sell his or her house, the current system set out for people is fairer and more certain.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: All of the resources I have mentioned — the €400 million in the past two years and the resources outlined in the budget — relate to staff working for the elderly and more home care packages. The organisations have acknowledged the considerable increases provided to home care and community care people.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Given what has happened in other services, we must continue to try to provide a better service.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It has often been pointed out that what has happened during the past 14 years has been unfair and unbalanced. The new system will be seen as being fair and far more compassionate.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Where there are difficulties, they can be ironed out with legislative changes.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Unlike the off-the-top-of-the-head remarks made by Deputies who do not understand the system, the services were negotiated during the past year in the context of Towards 2016. We will see them implemented next year.