In the documentary "We Need to Talk about Dad" last week, RTE presenter Mr. Brendan Courtney detailed issues in caring for his father after he suffered a stroke. The Department of Health has indicated a consultation process has been launched with a view to establishing a new statutory home care scheme. Our nursing homes are full and packed to capacity. The fair deal scheme in place now should cover the costs for families that want to keep their loved ones at home. Is this something the Government will seriously consider? When will the consultation process begin and end? I thank the Taoiseach.

The Department of Health has commenced examination of options to bring a greater consistency, nationally, to the regulation and financing of home care, which is a very important and sensitive issue, as the Deputy noted. It is considered that the best option for the future might well be a statutory home care scheme but not to have regulations and rulings governing the informal care given by families in their own homes. This scheme would be somewhat similar to the nursing home support scheme but it would be more specifically designed for the home care market. That is under way.

Establishing what kind of scheme would work is a complicated process. The Department will build on the success of the fair deal scheme but we cannot simply copy it or integrate it into a home care scheme. The Deputy is aware of the number of primary centres and homes being built in various locations around the country. There will be a public consultation process over the coming months to be launched by the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee.