Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 636: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3620/12]

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. This is realised through a range of community based services such as mainstream Home Help, enhanced provision via Home Care Packages, or through other service elements such as Meals-on-Wheels or Day Care. This is in addition to supporting access to other services that may be required, as appropriate, by older people such as high quality Intermediate or Long Term Residential Care.

While the recently agreed HSE Service Plan for 2012 involves a reduction of 4.5% in Home Help hours nationally, from around 11.2m hours in 2011 to 10.7m hours this year, the corresponding reduction proposed in the actual number of people receiving this service drops by only 1.2% or, in other words, from around 50,600 recipients last year to 50,000 in 2012. This reflects an increased focus by the HSE on more personalised care for the most vulnerable older people.

I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the levels of community based supports for older people contained in the HSE Service Plan maintains Home Care Packages for this year at 2011 levels. This reflects the commitment of the Government to provide the best possible services to the most vulnerable older people in the light of increasing competing demands and severe resource limitations overall.