Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of home help hours. There is a serious crisis regarding home care packages, with elderly and other persons in need of hours or increased hours. In November, we learned that 550 extra home care packages would be made available, but this has not made a dent in terms of what is required. By way of a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy Browne, we have learned that, in the constituency of Dublin South-Central alone, 184 people are waiting for home care packages. That is not just 184 people, it is 184 families that are struggling without such packages. Some of the people in question might be looked after by relatives and others might be blocking beds in hospitals. We do not have an accurate number, but in its response the HSE stated, "While resources for the provision of Home Support ... are substantial, they are finite." and "We are currently operating a waiting list as we do not have funding available to meet increased demands for home care package or home support services." Clearly, the HSE is stating that it is not being funded properly and that it needs more funds to ensure that those in need of home support services get them. It is incumbent on the Minister to ensure that these services are properly resourced. I would like the Leader to relay to him my call for him to do so.

I also wish to discuss the Educate Together campaign for a secondary school to serve Dublin 8 and Dublin 12. The campaign group met the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, nearly two months ago but has not received any reply or follow-up from him. We have learned that a site has been acquired in Rathmines for a new school, but this will only serve the students of Dublin 2 and Dublin 4. Three new schools will be built - two in Dublin 6 and one in Dublin 4 - yet the children of Dublin 8 are told to go to Sandymount for school and the children of Dublin 12 have been told that they cannot attend any of these new schools. That is significantly unfair when there is a school in Harold's Cross on the doorstep of children who live in Dublin 12 and they are not being allowed access to it. This is a serious issue. Despite the Minister's meeting with the group, there has been no real feedback. What follow-up will there be? I will contact the Minister separately.