Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health and Children receives Performance Reports each month which outline, amongst other things, progress on activity levels against targets set out in the National Service Plan. This includes Home Care Packages. The Minister has not sought an additional report on home care packages outside of this agreed mechanism.

Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. This is delivered through a range of community services such as Home Help, Home Care Packages (HCPs), Meals-on-Wheels, and Day / Respite care. Such supports have the added objective of reducing inappropriate admissions by older people to Acute Hospital or Long-Term Residential Care.

The importance attached to these services is highlighted by the fact that over €200 million additional funding has been provided in recent years for these services. The HSE has responsibility for the delivery of Home Care services, in line with its National Service Plan 2010. The Plan commits the Executive to proving 11.98 million Home Help hours nationally this year, to over 54,000 people. Home Care Packages will be delivered to around 9,600 people at any one time, or to some 13,000 clients over the course of the year. In the region of 21,300 Day / Respite care places will also be utilised this year by the Executive as part of its overall Home Support programme. In addition, arising out of an independent Evaluation of Home Care Packages published by the Department in December 2009, the HSE are this year progressing a number of initiatives to effect improvements generally in the area of Home Care Services.

In relation to Dublin's Northside, the HSE has advised that the procedures for applications for Home Care Packages have not changed. The service can be accessed through the local area office. The service provides assistance with care needs including essential personal care and other home support tasks.

Applications for packages in respect of in-patients in Acute Hospitals should be initiated prior to a patient's discharge from hospital. This can be facilitated by designated staff based in the hospital system. The provision of 24 hour care is not normally provided within the Home Care Package scheme. Where long-term 24 hour care is required, an application for the Nursing Home Support Scheme is advised. Home Care Packages continue to be approved in this area, in line with available funding. A prioritisation process is in place to determine how available funding is best allocated.