Carol Nolan presses minister over home help shortages in Leish Offaly
Carol Nolan raised urgent concerns about a nationwide shortfall in home help hours, citing Leish Offaly and asking the minister to intervene. She said budget restraints meant no more home help hours could be given to people, and contrasted this with the programme for government commitment to support elderly people.
Local concerns raised
Carol Nolan described a "very serious problem across the country" and detailed reports from Leish Offaly where budget restraints are preventing the allocation of further home help hours. She urged immediate ministerial intervention for elderly people who cannot be given even a few hours of home help.
Minister's response
The minister replied that the law passed by the House prevents directing the HSE to provide a service to any individual, but stressed the government's responsibility to provide adequate resources. The minister acknowledged the point and gave a brief response in the chamber.
Funding commitments
The minister set out specific funding measures: 18 million home help hours funded this year, additional funding provided through the winter plan before the end of the year, and a commitment to provide one million additional home care hours in 2020.
Distribution assurances
The minister said he will specifically ensure a fair distribution of resources in relation to Leish Offaly and Kerry, addressing the local needs highlighted by Carol Nolan.
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Minister, there is a very serious problem across the country. I am very aware of it in Leish Offaly where I am told that there are budget restraints and that no more home help hours can be given to people. Now in the programme for government it states that this government is committed to supporting our elderly people but yet we are seeing where they cannot be given a few hours home help. I would urgently ask you to intervene Minister. I know there is a terrible situation in Leish Offaly in regard to home help hours. Thank you for your brevity. The law that this House passes obviously prohibits me as Minister for Health in directing the HSE to provide a service to any individual. However, what we do have a job to do is provide adequate resources. We are funding 18 million home help hours this year. We have provided more funding between now and the end of the year through the winter plan and we will be providing a million additional home care hours in 2020. I will specifically ensure that in relation to Leish Offaly and Kerry that there is a fair distribution.
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