Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this debate, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly. Like Deputies in the Lower House last night, I welcome the provision of 550 additional home care support packages. These are really needed at this time and, in particular, as we come into the winter months. All of us with older parents or people who have certain requirements and need to be at home want to make sure that they get the best care, particularly in the communities in which they live. I am of the view that people want to stay in their communities. The Minister of State is very conscious of this. After I took last night's debate in the Dáil on his behalf, the Minister of State spoke to me about a vision for the future whereby people who cannot live at home will be able to stay in a managed environment - and have their own hall doors - or in retirement homes where their loved ones can visit and where there could be services nearby. The Minister of State is pursuing that option.