Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied with the home care systems available to the elderly and disabled in view of cases (details supplied); if this is typical of the home care packages so long promised by herself and the Health Service Executive; her views on the system in which the HSE are moving towards agency carers rather than making commitments to local carers who know the patients and have built up a good relationship with them which is sometimes difficult; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20416/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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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 possible, the health service supports access as appropriate to quality long-term residential care. Additional funding of just over €200 million was provided to develop various community services and supports for older people over the period 2006-8. This additional funding related, for example, to Home Care Packages, Home-Help, Meals-on-Wheels, and Day/Respite care.

Home Care Packages are a relatively new initiative, introduced in 2006, and developed in the meantime across the country through phased investment of €120 million. A package comprises a number of community-based services and supports, provided in a way to best meet the needs of an older person. The person will have significant medical, nursing and/or therapy requirements and may be recently discharged from hospital, or at-risk of admission to hospital, if such needs are not met in a planned way. The HSE Service Plan 2009 envisages around 8,700 people benefitting from packages at any one time, or over 11,000 people benefitting over the course of the year. It is a matter for the HSE to provide Home Care Packages at local level, including as appropriate, delivery on a partnership basis with the voluntary sector or through private providers.

It is clear that the Government has made considerable improvements in recent years to enhance Home Care provision generally across the country. There is no doubt that demand can at times exceed resources. However, the HSE has responsibility to deliver services both nationally and locally, in the context of Government priorities and its overall resources, while at the same time taking account of the need to maximise services to the most vulnerable in our society. The HSE undertakes reviews of its wide range of services, to ensure that such services are provided in the best possible manner. In the circumstances, the question relating to the particular case has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.