Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the Government policy on the funding of care of the elderly as announced in the health strategy 2001 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15509/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As part of budget 2006, €150 million was allocated to services for older people and palliative care. This is the largest ever increase in funding for services for older people. At the heart of this funding package is a determination to improve home and community-based support with almost three quarters, €109 million of the full year costs, being committed to the support of care in the community. It includes extra funding for home support packages, day and respite care and sheltered housing.

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 was established last year to examine issues relating to the financing of long-term care. The objective of this group was 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 undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. This group presented its report to Government, where it is under consideration.