Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider the allocation of resources to community care given the circumstances outlined in correspondence (details supplied). [39741/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The needs of our older people are, and will remain, a high priority for the Government, and resources will be applied to provide the best possible mix of services and supports.

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. In 2015 the HSE expects to deliver 10.3 million home help hours, which is the same level of service provided in 2014. The projected target for home care packages is that 13,800 people will be in receipt of a package. This is an increase of approximately 600 on the previous year. In addition the HSE has introduced Intensive Home Care Packages for clients with more complex care needs. This will benefit about 190 people in a full year.

A priority for 2016 will be the development of an integrated model of care with a strong emphasis on home and community care. Details of the budget allocation for home care services, including Home Care Packages, will be outlined in due course, in the HSE's 2016 National Service Plan.