Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 853: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the budget allocation for home help services for 2011 and 2012; the cuts to the home help budget for 2010, 2011 and 2012; if he will give a commitment to continue funding these important services into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26334/12]

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, Day Care or Respite Care.

While the recently agreed HSE Service Plan for 2012 involves a reduction of around 3.5% in Home Help hours nationally, from just over 11m hours in 2011 to 10.7m hours this year, the corresponding reduction proposed in the actual number of people receiving Home Help drops by just under 2% or, in other words, from around 51,000 recipients last year to 50,000 in 2012. This reflects an increased focus by the HSE towards more personalised care for the most vulnerable older people.

I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the HSE Service Plan 2012 maintains Home Care Packages for this year at 2011 levels. Such Packages usually contain a significant Home Help element. This again indicates the commitment of the Government to provide the best possible services to the most vulnerable older people, in the light of evolving resources and competing demands in respect of the years in question.