Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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153. To ask the Minister for Health further to this Deputy's correspondence to his Department on 18 March 2015, and the Minister of State's reply of 16 April 2014 (details supplied), if he will ensure that the Health Service Executive has the resources necessary to provide home help and the home care package to those persons in County Roscommon and in the south of County Leitrim who have been approved for the services but who are not currently receiving the services to which they are entitled, due to lack of funding; his views that it is more cost-effective to support such persons in their own homes, rather than allowing their circumstances to deteriorate to the degree at which long-term hospital or nursing home care becomes a necessity; his further views that the interests of the health and well-being of the persons involved, and efficiency and cost savings within the health service, are best served by providing home help and the home care package in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18946/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive provides a range of community-based services aimed at ensuring older people receive safe, timely and appropriate care and treatment at the lowest level of complexity, and as close to home as possible. This means that people are facilitated and supported to stay in their own homes and communities for as long as it is viable, in accordance with the views expressed consistently by older people themselves.

The HSE is continuously working to develop the services provided and to ensure they match the needs of older people as much as possible within the overall level of funding provided. The projected target levels for home help hours and home care packages set out in the 2014 HSE’s National Service Plan were met. The 2015 Service Plan projects the provision of 10.3m hours help hours this year and that 13,800 people will be in receipt of a home care package.

As aspects of the Deputy's question relate to service provision in specified regions it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.