Regarding the provision of an adequate home help service by the HSE, there have been alarming circumstances in County Kerry, particularly in the past two weeks. Hundreds of vulnerable recipients have been informed by letter that the HSE is making some drastic cuts to its already-diminished service. which has been diminishing over the past two years. The unfortunate notice is being sent to a very worried and stressed group of citizens. This action is replicated in other counties. The Taoiseach will have to intervene very strongly with the Minister for Health as this cannot be allowed to continue.

The home help service for our elderly and vulnerable population is probably the best and most effective means of delivery of home care services to ensure people can live in their own communities, at a very low cost. This is the environment in which people are happiest. There is a policy of upgrading and developing the delivery of community care in general, but what is happening on the ground is contrary to all this. There is certainly a deficiency and we need to rectify it as a matter of urgency.

These regressive measures are further compounding an already-diminishing service. The service for many deserving elderly and infirm people is being very much cut down to the very minimum. The cost of home care provision is significantly lower than the cost of nursing home provision but there is currently an emphasis on forcing those in receipt of home care into private nursing homes as an alternative means of care. In many cases, an adequate home help service, in addition to the respite care provided in the district and community hospitals, would be the solution.

The trend has been evident over the past two years, in particular. The minimum number of home help hours has been provided. In many cases, perhaps only a half an hour is allowed at a certain time in the morning or afternoon. Consequently, the home help provider may not be in inside the door of the house and may be trying to get her or his chores done as fast as possible before leaving. What is happening is counter-productive. The best value for money is not being realised as the service is currently run. Over €70 million has been provided for the care of the elderly under the fair deal system and community care in general. I ask that sufficient moneys be invested immediately to address the issue I am raising. I ask the Taoiseach to speak to the Minister for Health this evening to stop this unfortunate action, which is causing undue fear, stress and strain among those concerned and their families.

The home help scheme has been of extraordinary benefit to thousands of people over the years, given the hours of care and attention given by the home help staff throughout the country. I agree with Deputy Fleming that elderly people, either living alone or in numbers in houses, prefer to be in their own place. Many can manage this with a little opportunity to have home help provided to them. In its decision before Christmas, the Government provided an extra €25 million for the fair deal scheme so people who have to go to nursing homes can do so without having to wait for a very long period. A further €75 million was allocated in recent weeks. A portion of that was for better home care packages, which would include home help service and care, depending on the complications or challenges people face.

The home help scheme is monitored and managed by individuals within each district. Many home help personnel, whom I meet regularly, will say they can adjust the hours for person X to suit him or her better.

As the Deputy pointed out, some people might require half an hour in the morning and others might require much longer. There is always a challenge with a population which is ageing to have adequate numbers of home help carers. This is part of the process of trying to normalise the health system so people can stay at home for as long as is possible before they may have to go to a nursing home for more full-time care and attention. I expect the home help managers in each district will look at the budget they have and the extent of personnel and how best to manage it in the interests of the patients. I am quite sure the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, will give the Deputy a more detailed response about any particular area, including his own.

It is a false economy by the HSE because it has been a very successful scheme and by far the best scheme operated by the HSE to retain and build up the concept of community care for those who are happiest among their own families and in their communities. Will the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, contact HSE South immediately to address urgently this matter in County Kerry and in other counties where it may be happening? It should be resolved this week rather than having these vulnerable and elderly people experience undue fears and stressful conditions. Rather than the negativity and cost-cutting, we need to counteract this with positive measures for the good of all and have an enhanced service at minimum cost. It can be done and I ask the Taoiseach to stop what is happening. He should direct the HSE to immediately withdraw the letters and provide adequate convalescence in the district hospitals and respite care to give occasional breaks to families and put in place procedures to resolve this to the satisfaction of everybody. It would be a good day's work if the Taoiseach acted with haste on this matter.

I thank Deputy Fleming for his contribution. He will agree the home help scheme has, by and large, given great comfort and has been a great response to so many people for a relatively low cost. A total of €320 million has been allocated for home care packages and home help allowances and 100,000 people receive benefit from it. I am sure this is not what the Deputy suggests should be stopped because of the great benefits people receive. It is only right and very normal that elderly people in receipt of home help assistance want to stay in their own homes and there are a variety of schemes around that to assist them. I have seen them in the Deputy's county where elements of the Tús scheme, together with the local authorities, have helped improve conditions in some of the houses where people receive home help and in the day care centres they visit to improve the quality and comfort of their lives. This issue is monitored all of the time. As I stated, €320 million has been allocated this year and 100,000 people receive support from it. I will have the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, reply to Deputy Fleming in respect of the letters which have been issued in his county.