Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health his views on the home help cuts in 2012; if he will protect home help hours in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48601/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE has a statutory responsibility to live within the budget voted to it by the Oireachtas. In this context, the HSE recently developed a range of proposals to address funding pressures overall by the end of 2012. Most of the measures agreed focus on areas that do not have a direct patient impact. It is a priority of the Executive to minimise the impact on patients and clients of any spending reductions. In relation to home help, hours will continue to be based on a review of individual needs and no current recipient of the service and who has an assessed need will be without a service. The position in relation to 2013 is being considered in the context of finalising the Estimates and Budgetary process for next year.

In relation to the individual case raised by the Deputy, this has been referred to the HSE for direct reply, as it is a service matter.