Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health regarding budget 2013 and its impact on home help hours and carer's, if he will confirm that there will be no cut to the home help budget in 2013 and that the budgeted amount will be restored to the 2012 level of funding, that is, the funding level before the recent cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56333/12]

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 details raised by the Deputy in relation to home care provision for 2013 are being considered at present in the context of finalising the HSE Service plan for next year, which is due be published in the near future. However, as indicated in my recent Press Release concerning Mental Health and Social Care services under Budget 2013, I am pleased to re-iterate the Government's commitment to restore to 2012 levels of service the core community services of home help, home care packages and personal assistant hours.