John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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516. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons in Tallaght Hospital who have been deemed medically fit for discharge and have had to wait more than one week for their discharge, due to their inability to access a home-care package for May and June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20773/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Delayed discharges arise when a patient has been judged clinically to no longer have a requirement for acute hospital care but remains in an acute hospital bed, thus rendering that bed unavailable for patients who need admission.

According to a HSE report on delayed discharges, as of end May 2016, there were 595 delayed discharges nationally. Of these, 51 were waiting either for their application to be processed or for home care to be made available. Two of these 51 were in located Tallaght hospital.

As of end June 2016, there were 630 delayed discharges nationally. Of these, 85 were waiting either for their application to be processed or for home care to be made available. Three of these 85 were located in Tallaght hospital.

Information on the length of time these patients were awaiting discharge from hospital is not included in the HSE report.

The HSE’s National Service Plan for 2016 provides for a target of 10.4 million Home Help Hours to support about 47,800 people. It also provides for 15,450 Home Care Packages and 130 Intensive Home Care Packages for clients with complex needs.A further 60clients with dementia will be supported with co-funding from Atlantic Philanthropies under the Irish National Dementia Strategy.

Home support services are being stretched by demands from more people, and for more hours at times outside of core hours, in the evenings and at weekends, all of which cost more.

I am delighted that the Government has been able to respond to this demand by providing an extra €40m for home care in 2016. Not only will this ensure that the home support services provided in 2015 are maintained but also increased. The targets for 2016 will be reviewed in light of these additional resources.