Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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194. To ask the Minister for Health the timetable and milestones for the policy development and public consultation process on home care as set out by the Minister of State in her contribution on Second Stage of the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2016; and the target date or dates for the introduction of new legislation. [6502/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It is Government policy that long-term nursing home care should be a last resort and we want to develop home care services to provide a more viable alternative to nursing home care for a greater number of people.

It is my view, and that of the Government, that we need a standalone funding scheme designed for homecare that recognises its particular characteristics together with regulation of homecare services. The development of a regulatory and funding model for homecare services is a complex undertaking involving very significant legislative, operational and financial resources.

A significant amount of detailed preparation needs to be done before final decisions are taken on the form of a home care scheme and the regulation of these services. In 2016 the Department commissioned the Health Research Board to carry out an evidence review of international approaches to the regulation and financing of home care services. This will be published shortly. The Department will also undertake a mapping exercise of current service provision nationally, taking into account the scale and diversity of services funded by the HSE. This work will be used to identify major policy options for a new statutory homecare scheme – around the areas of regulation, financing, assessment and eligibility.

Once this is complete a public consultation will be launched to allow stakeholders, including older people themselves, their families and healthcare workers to express their views regarding a new homecare scheme. It is my hope and intention at this stage that this consultation on this important issue can be launched in May of this year.

The development of a new home care scheme is a priority for me, as Minister.