Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Health and Children

Care of the Elderly

9:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional home care packages €10 million will provide; her views on the fact that these packages will be targeted at those who most need them in view of the recent findings included in the National Economy and Social Council report on home care packages; the action she will take in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48518/09]

Photo of Áine BradyÁine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Budget 2010 provided an additional €10 million to expand the Home Care Package (HCP) Initiative to meet need arising from demographic changes. Home Care Packages, introduced in 2006, are tailored to the needs of older people whose requirements cannot be met by mainstream Primary, Community and Continuing Care (PCCC) services. They consist of enhanced supports over and above existing mainstream community services, with the objective of maintaining older people to live at home and in their communities. They are primarily targeted towards those at risk of inappropriate admission to long-term residential care or acute hospitals, or those requiring discharge home from acute hospital. In 2009, the HSE provided €120 million to cater for approximately 11,500 clients over the course of the year. The additional packages now coming on stream will be directed towards pressure points in the acute hospital and long-term care systems around the country. This approach takes account of one of the recommendations arising from an independent Evaluation into Home Care Packages undertaken last year and published on the Department website on 3 December last. The number of persons benefitting from this new investment will be finalised in the context of agreeing the HSE Service Plan 2010 but, depending on the mix of packages decided, this could facilitate up to 1,000 clients.

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