Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide detail of the home help/home care package budget for 2013; the estimated number of home help hours funded; and the way these figures compare to 2012 and 2011 [56175/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Protecting the vulnerable, including supporting older people to remain at home and in their communities for as long as possible, is a priority for this Government. The issues raised by the Deputy in relation to the 2012 out-turn position, and home care provision for 2013, are being considered at present in the context of finalising the HSE Service plan for next year. The position on the questions raised will be reflected in the forthcoming Service Plan, which will be published in the near future.

In relation to 2011, the HSE provided just over 11 million Home Help hours with funding of €211m. In that year, over 10,900 people were in receipt of a Home Care Package at any one time, with total annual funding of €138m for this enhanced care provision.