Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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239. To ask the Minister for Health the progress been made regarding the development of a new statutory scheme for home care since his most recent statements on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40448/19]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy commits to the introduction of the statutory scheme in 2021.  As part of this, work is on-going to determine the optimal approach to the development of the statutory scheme within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms and in 2019 work is focusing on the design of the scheme, the options for regulation, and a review of existing services.

As part of this in recent months, the Department of Health has commissioned a review of the management, operation and funding of existing home-support service-provision. This will significantly enhance the evidence-base for the development of the statutory scheme and ensure that it builds on emerging good practice within Ireland.

I expect to be in a position to provide further details around the general terms of the proposed scheme in January 2020.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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240. To ask the Minister for Health when the next stages of consultation will commence in the development of homecare regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40449/19]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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In preparation for the development of the home care statutory scheme, the Department commissioned the Health Research Board to carry out a review of the home-care systems in four European countries. In addition, the Department conducted a public consultation on home-care services in 2017, on which a report was published in 2018. These reports are available on the Department’s website and will help to ensure that the new scheme is informed both by international experience and by the views of stakeholders, including service-users.

The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy commits to the introduction of the statutory scheme in 2021.  As part of this, work is on-going to determine the optimal approach to the development of the statutory scheme within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms and in 2019 work is focusing on the design of the scheme, the options for regulation, and a review of existing services.  Engagement with stake-holders is essential to the progress of this work and is ongoing throughout this process. 

I expect to be in a position to provide further details around the general terms of the proposed scheme in January 2020.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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241. To ask the Minister for Health the provisions regarding nutrition and hydration to be included in the statutory scheme for homecare to ensure that those in receipt of homecare packages receive good nutritional care,including screening for and management of nutritional deficits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40450/19]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy commits to the introduction of the statutory scheme in 2021.  As part of this, work is on-going to determine the optimal approach to the development of the statutory scheme within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms and in 2019 work is focusing on the design of the scheme, the options for regulation, and a review of existing services.

I am aware that eating well is of huge importance to your overall health and therefore must be part of the conversation about how we support people with care needs to live independently at home and in their communities.  

I expect to be in a position to provide further details around the general terms of the proposed scheme in January 2020.