Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1275. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the work of the Commission on Care for Older People; the status of the three modules; to provide further details in respect of the work of Reference Group and the number of times it has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45264/24]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In fulfilment of the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government has established an independent Commission on Care for Older People, the inaugural meeting of which was held on 21^st March 2024. In Budget 2025 €0.6 million was allocated to the Commission, which is being supported by a secretariat from my Department

The Commission, which is chaired by Professor Alan Barrett (CEO, ESRI) and comprised of independent experts, is charged with examining the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and with making recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a cross-departmental group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life-course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports.

The work of the Commission is being advanced through three modules which will run consecutively. In Module 1 the Commission is charged with determining the effectiveness, adequacy and efficiency of the care and supports which are currently provided within the health and social care system, including the plans for their further development, in meeting the evolving care needs of the increasing diversity of older people within the context of the ageing population. The Commission will prepare for my consideration, and for that of the Minister for Health, a report detailing the Commission’s work in respect of Module 1 including any learnings for inclusion in Module 2. The report on Module 1 is due for completion in Q1 2025.

A Reference Group comprised of NGOs and other key stakeholders working in the area, including those with lived experience, has been formed to engage with the Commission in an advisory capacity. The work of the Reference Group is being advanced through biannual national plenary meetings and thematic focus group meetings. To date, two national plenary meetings have been convened (on 18^th June and 8^th October 2024), in addition to which three thematic focus group meetings have been held this year—on GP and primary care (19^th September); supported living (25^th September); and home support and community-based supports for people with intellectual disabilities (18^th October). Reports on these meetings will be submitted to the Commission.

Further information about the work of the Commission, including the minutes of meetings, can be accessed on the Department of Health's gov.ie page: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aecb0-comission-on-care-for-older-people