Every week in my office, new people present who are seeking home support services, either for themselves or family members. In the month since I raised this in the House, the problem has worsened. It is not just a matter of statistics. In one month, the number of people in my area, CHO 7, has increased from 650 to 724. These people have been assessed by the HSE as needing home support services but none is available.

People are being informed that they will get home support services only as they become available. This effectively means when somebody moves into long-term residential care or dies. I raised this a month ago but the figures have worsened. I do not expect the Taoiseach to have a specific answer but I appeal to him to address this. This is happening on his watch. It has not happened like this for quite a while but it is getting out of control.

I am having that matter examined at the moment. I appreciate that the Deputy raised it with me a few weeks ago and I share his concerns about it. There has been an increase in resources for home care this year. I am not clear yet whether additional demand has exceeded the additional supply or whether it is a problem of recruitment. I understand that, in some areas, it has been difficult to recruit home care staff, which causes a problem even when resources are in place. It is a matter of determining whether it is a case of resources not being deployed properly and efficiently. In the medium term, we will have to move to a statutory scheme similar to the fair deal scheme. That will take too long for people who are currently on the list so I am having this examined at the moment.