Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the terms of home care packages which she has established as a complementary measure to the revised nursing home care package; if she is satisfied that the terms are such that they encourage families, where possible, to provide care at home; and if she is further satisfied with the availability and access to home care packages. [17095/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Government policy in relation to older people is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and, where this is not possible, to support access to quality long-term residential care. This policy approach is renewed and developed in the latest partnership agreement, Towards 2016. Home Care Packages (HCPs) which include Home Care Cash Grants are designed to

1.Support older people to continue to live in their community.

2.Reduce inappropriate admission

3.Facilitate timely discharge of older people from acute hospitals

4.Reduce pressure on A&E departments

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the operation of Home Care Packages. Referral for packages can be made by any health professional whether community or hospital based. The decision to allocate a HCP is based on the assessment of needs of the individual and the identification of any assessed needs which are not being met by mainstream services, together with consideration of the appropriateness of care in the community in the individual case. Home Care Packages are therefore an additional support over and above existing mainstream community services and are designed to enhance rather than replace existing home support services.

In 2006 a total of 2,000 extra Home Care Packages were provided at a full year cost of €55 million. A similar increase in the number of packages will be provided in 2007 and a sum of €18m will fund the cost of 0.78 million additional home help hours in 2007. On the 2nd April 2007 Section 93 of the Finance Act was signed into law exempting under certain circumstances private homecare services from VAT.

A joint working group comprising representatives of my Department and the Health Service Executive is currently examining planning the staffing requirements for future developments in relation to HCPs. It is anticipated that the group will report to Government by the end of 2007.

A Steering Committee is being set up to begin the preparatory work of evaluating the effectiveness of the additional Home Care Packages. Following the results of this evaluation my Department will be in a position to make any further decisions necessary in this area.

Bearing in mind the significant resources that have been put in place in recent times, and the measures that have been introduced or are planned to monitor HCPs, I am satisfied that this important initiative has brought significant benefits to clients and their families availing of the service and that further improvements where necessary will be introduced in the light of operational experience.