Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that almost half the budget amount is spent on older people on residential care, despite the fact that the number of older people in residential care number only approximately 5%; her plans to remedy the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27823/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Older people in need of long-term residential care represent one of the most vulnerable groups in society. This Government's commitment to supporting those in need of such care is reflected in the considerable funding provided on an ongoing basis in respect of public nursing home places and the private nursing home subvention scheme. It is also reflected in the proposed new nursing home support scheme — A Fair Deal — which will be introduced in the near future.

However, this Government has also presided over unprecedented public investment in community care services for older people over the past four years, including:

Investment of €110 million over 2006-2007 providing for a total of 4,300 Home Care Packages.

Additional funding of €18m in 2007 resulting in 780,000 more home help hours.

An additional €12.5m in 2006 and 2007 for day and respite care services.

The development of four Community Intervention Teams in 2006 — one in each HSE area.

Finally, the Government is committed to exploring financially sustainable ways of funding all long-term care services, both residential and community-based, in the future and preliminary work has been undertaken in this regard.