Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Recently released figures in respect of home care packages funded by the HSE make for grim and depressing reading. They show that the number on the waiting list increased from 6,238 at the end of March to 7,346 at the end of July, an increase of 18% in four months. The list for the Cavan-Monaghan region now stands at 326 people. It is important that we do not forget that behind these figures are vulnerable, elderly people and their families. Older people want to stay in their own homes. They are happier, healthier and more content there. Unfortunately, in many instances discharges from our acute hospitals are delayed simply because there are no home care packages in place for the patients in question. Beds are held up, which causes a backlog throughout the entire system. Many of our vulnerable elderly are also forced into nursing homes as a result of this lack of home care packages. The policy makes no sense either from the perspective of health or from a financial perspective. Figures I recently came across highlight that very point. To keep someone in an acute hospital setting for one week costs the taxpayers of this country €6,000. To keep someone in a nursing home for one week costs anywhere between €1,300 and €1,400. A home care package of 6.5 hours costs the taxpayer €165 per week. Those figures say it all. It is time that Government wakes up to this issue and treats our vulnerable elderly people with the respect they have earned.