Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for improving community services for the elderly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28917/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I see as a priority supporting people to stay in their own homes and communities and moving away from the practice of placing people in residential care as a first option. This is the express wish of the majority of our older people.

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 all issues surrounding the financing of long-term care. Following the publication of this report, 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.

The objective of this group is to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, including improvements in community 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 will report to me and to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, shortly.