Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1092. To ask the Minister for Health his views on concerns regarding the old and vulnerable (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24649/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Homecare services are provided either directly by the HSE or through service agreements with private and voluntary sector providers are intended to assist older people to live independently in their own homes.

Services are provided on the basis of assessed need and there is no means-testing. The provision of these services is regularly reviewed at national and local levels, in the context of assessed client need against resource availability and deployment. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to increasing provision for home supports so that we can better respond to the preferences of older people to stay at home for as long as they can.

When it is no longer viable for a person to remain at home, financial support is available for those assessed as needing long-term nursing home care, regardless of their age, through the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.

The details of assessment processes are a service matter and accordingly this issue has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.