Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 72: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the increase in the number of older persons in the population, consideration will be given to the establishment of a strategic planning group embracing a number of Departments to plan for the changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11576/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, it has been forecast that the percentage of the population aged over 65 will increase to between 18% and 21% by 2031. The Government is aware that our population is ageing and it has already addressed some of these issues in the health strategy, Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You, published in 2001. I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to developing services for older people, both residential and community based, to meet the needs of our growing older population.

The Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland, which was commissioned by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, examined issues surrounding the financing of long-term care. A working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs has been established following on from the publication of the report.

The objective of this group is to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, taking account of the Mercer report, the views of the consultation that was undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. This group has been requested to report to both the Tánaiste and Minister for Social and Family Affairs by mid-year 2005. Following this process, it is the intention that there will be discussions with relevant interest groups in relation to the proposals for the future financing of long-term care for older people.