Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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911. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there are no cuts to home help services given the severe difficulties this will cause service users and their families; that steps will be taken to ensure sufficient levels of home help are made available to support carers including the provision for more flexibility for weekend and night cover; and that the number of home help packages are sustained in an equitable divide countrywide. [33454/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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A HSE priority in 2014 is the development of an integrated model of care, with a strong emphasis on home and community care. The Budget and target levels for service provision for both the home help service (€185m) and home care packages (€130m) remain at 2013 levels. In addition, €23m has been redirected from the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to augment community services. The question of funding available for these services next year is being considered as part of the Estimates Process 2015, which is currently underway.