Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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11. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to expand the model of care homes unique to the south east that provides residential accommodation for adults that require minimal assistance of a low to medium dependency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20800/19]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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A key principle underpinning Government policy is to support older people to live in their own home as long as possible.

There will, however, always be people whose needs are best met in a residential care setting or supported housing model. There are 10 Supported Care Homes in Community Healthcare Organisation Area 5 providing accommodation and support services to older people with low to medium dependency levels. The residents cannot be maintained independently at home, but do not yet require nursing home care. The HSE acknowledges the role played by these Homes in reducing possible admission to nursing homes. The HSE will provide about €2.5 million in Section 39 funding this year towards the operational costs of the Homes. I have been assured by the HSE that it is committed to ensuring Supported Care Homes are supported while recognising that there are also strengths to services for older people in other parts of the country which also assist in reducing unnecessary admissions to nursing homes.

As people get older, their housing needs may change. The Government recently launched a Policy Statement “Housing Options for our Ageing Population” which provides a policy framework to support our ageing population through increasing the accommodation options available to them and give them meaningful choice in how and where they choose to live. It also sets out a package of key actions that will assist the development of models of supported housing that promote integration between housing and health and social care services.

An Inter-Departmental and Inter-Agency Implementation Group, with an independent Chair is being established to progress the programme of actions contained in the policy statement. This will assist in developing a menu of solutions which are available nationally to provide enhanced housing and support options for older people.