Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge all the work Senator Maria Byrne does in this area. She is right. Local clinics show the huge demand for hours that is not being met. As the Minister pointed out in his response, the money is available. Care is a very challenging recruitment area and he has put in place the implementation process to try to deliver as many home care hours as possible in the community. As the Senator rightly noted, the benefit of keeping people in their own home living independently is huge for society generally.