Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to answer this question on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank Senator Moylan for raising this matter on the Adjournment.

It is the Department's policy to maintain older people in dignity and independence at home in accordance with their wishes and at the same time to provide high-quality residential care for older people when living at home is no longer possible.

The Government's commitment to the development of a comprehensive range of services for older people has been clearly demonstrated by the significantly increased resources made available in recent years. From 1997 to 2005, inclusive, additional spending on health care services is in excess of €302 million. In 2004, a total of €9.5 million in additional revenue funding was allocated to services for older people and for 2005, this figure was increased to €15.228 million. This funding is being used for a variety of services including the nursing home subvention scheme, home care grants, the home help service, the elder abuse programme and support to voluntary organisations.

In the budget package announced for 2006, additional revenue funding of €150 million in full year costs was allocated —€110 million in 2006 and an additional €40 million in 2007. The prioritisation of all health capital developments is a matter for the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. I have been advised by the HSE that Riada House, Tullamore, County Offaly, is a priority capital development for 2006.

When it is necessary for older people to move into long-term residential care, it is important they have a choice of top-quality nursing home care. To this end, the Government is committed to developing the necessary infrastructure to care for older people and deliver services in the best possible manner. A working group has been established by the Department to develop standards for residential care settings for older people. Membership of the group comprises officials from the Department, the HSE, the social services inspectorate and the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board. The group will commence the development of standards for the inspection of both public and private residential care for older people and, in doing so, will consult with appropriate and interested parties.

The majority of our older people are fit and well and leading full, independent lives. However, where this is no longer the case, the Department is committed to providing high quality long-term residential care. The Government has allocated unprecedented levels of resources to ensure that the care we provide for older people is of the highest possible standard, and an indication of how society values and respects the contribution older people have made in the past and continue to make today.