Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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160. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he plans to take as part of the winter plan initiative to alleviate the backlog at present in allocating home help hours in County Donegal; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the present waiting times are the longest ever in duration and that the current length of time to obtain a home care package is up to 20 weeks before patients can avail of hours approved; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this is having an adverse effect on bed occupation in hospitals nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38180/19]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health is engaging extensively with the HSE in the context of planning for winter, including consideration of the response to dealing with current challenges such as the high level of delayed transfers of care. While this engagement continues the HSE has been authorised to undertake immediate action to mitigate the challenges. Discussion will continue over the coming weeks having regard to the Estimates 2020 process.

I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy regarding the current challenges experienced in County Donegal in relation to home support hours.