James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to implement measures to ensure the availability of real alternatives to hospital for those who require lengthy convalescence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30042/09]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the programme for Government commitment that all older people have the opportunity to stay in their home for as long as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30044/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 407 together.

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.

The Home Help Service is a well established and successful component of the overall strategy to enable older people to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

Funding of €211 million is provided for Home Help Services in 2009 (including €55.6 million in development funding over the period 2006-08). The number of home help hours provided each year has increased from 10.8 million hours in 2006 to 11.78 million hours in 2007 and 11.96 million hours in 2008 and an estimated 11.98 million hours in the full year of 2009. Over the same period the numbers benefiting increased from 41,400 to 54,500, an increase of 13,100 people.

In relation to service provision in 2009, the HSE Service Plan is seeking to deliver the same quantity and quality of Home Help services as delivered in 2008. The capacity of the HSE to provide approved levels of Home Help services continues to be reviewed in the context of overall resources available to the HSE.

Home Care Packages are a relatively new initiative, introduced in 2006, and developed in the meantime across the country through investment which in 2009 stands at €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.