Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the actions she will take to ensure that in advance of budget 2010 discussions the home care scheme is enhanced in order to ensure that there is minimal delay in elderly patients being discharged from acute hospital beds and that they be allowed to continue to live in the comfort of their own homes through the increased provision of home care facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36101/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) at present provide a range of home care supports to older people, including Home Care Packages, Home Help, Meals on Wheels and Day/Respite Care.

The development of community based services remains a priority for the Government. During 2009, the HSE expects to provide:-

Home Care Packages benefiting around 8,700 people at any one time or over 11, 000 in the course of the year.

almost 12 million Home Help hours benefiting over 54,000 clients

some 21,500 Day Care Places benefiting an estimated 80,000-100,000 people.

over 700 designated Respite Care Beds benefiting around 19,000 people.

The objectives of the home care services provided by the HSE are to keep older people living at home and in their own communities; and to reduce pressures on the acute hospitals and long term residential systems through preventing inappropriate admissions or facilitating delayed discharges.

Despite the current economic difficulties of recent times, our aim has been to protect the overall funding for front-line community services for older people. This objective will be pursued, as far as possible, in the context of the on-going Estimates process and framing Budget 2010.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [36103/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.