Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if new budgets have been put in place for home care packages in all Health Service Executive areas; the number of such packages that are estimated to be put in place in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9319/08]

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. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. This policy approach is renewed and developed in the latest partnership agreement "Towards 2016".

The Government's objective of continued development of community-based services for older persons is reflected in the funding given to the system in recent times. In Budgets 2006 and 2007, over €400 million was provided to enhance service developments across the sector, of which €110m was for Home Care Packages over these two years.

Arising from Budget 2008, a full year package of €22m was allocated for a range of new community based services for older people. This included a further €10m to expand the Home Care Package initiative. This will result in a total of just over 4,700 packages being available this year, benefiting an estimated 11,500 people.