James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the total budget allocation for home care packages for the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010, in tabular form; the number of persons who have benefited from home care packages on an annual basis for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35499/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Home Care Packages (HCPs) are enhanced supports over and above existing mainstream community services, with the objective of maintaining older people at home and in their communities. They are targeted at those at risk of inappropriate admission to long-term care or acute hospitals, or those who require discharge home from acute hospital. There has been considerable investment over the past few years in Home Care Packages as set out below.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 100: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the total budget allocation for home help hours for each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010, in tabular form; the number of persons who have benefited from home help hours for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35500/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Home Help service is one of a wide range of community based services being provided by the HSE including Primary Care Teams, Home Care Packages, Meals on Wheels, support to voluntary agencies that provide health and/or personal social services, etc.

The Home Help Service is a core community service enabling people who require some additional support to remain at home. The Home Help Service is also a critical mainstream support to older people in facilitating their early discharge from hospital and in preventing inappropriate admission to acute hospitals and long-stay residential care. As the budget for the Home Help service is finite, the outturn position in relation to the number of clients at the end of each year can depend on a number of operational factors, including the demands and complexities involved in providing the service to clients over the course of the year. This would account for the reduction in the number of clients, at year end, between 2008 and 2009.