Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 967: To ask the Minister for Health if he will make the eligibility criteria and needs assessments for home care packages clear and consistent for those who are trying to access these services [23819/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Government policy is to support older people to live at home and in their communities for as long as possible and, where this is not an option for whatever reason, to support access to high quality long term residential care. Such community based supports, including Home Care Packages, are not a statutory entitlement and are subject to resource limitations. In some cases, where services are approved and funded by the HSE, these may be undertaken by the Executive through a partnership arrangement with non-statutory providers to maximise service delivery.

In addition to supporting older people and their families, Home Care Packages are directed at the most vulnerable older people to help relieve pressures on the Acute Hospitals, and Long Term Residential Care systems. Arising from an Evaluation of Home Care Packages published in December 2009, the Department of Health accepted the need for a more standardised approach to the provision of HSE home care services generally. Therefore the HSE, in conjunction with the Department, progressed during 2010 and 2011 various improvements to the planning and delivery of home care provision, including Access and Needs Assessment for Home Care Packages. The HSE Service Plan for this year commits the Executive to developing its model of care to maximise community services to vulnerable older people. The provisions include:-

National Guidelines & Procedures for Standardised Implementation of Home Care Packages;

Information relating to Home Care Packages, including an application form, is available now through any HSE Local Health Office or at www.hse.ie

Quality Guidelines for Home Care Support Services for Older People;

National Guidelines for the Home Help Service.

In addition, the HSE launched a Public Procurement Framework for Home Care services in October last. The Executive is at present progressing the detail of this Framework, in conjunction with the other measures outlined above, to enhance these services for HSE home care recipients.

Our aim, as reflected in the Programme for Government, is that all measures necessary are taken to ensure a clear and consistent approach nationally for people receiving Home Care services.