The final report of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response recommended a move away from residential care towards care in the community for elderly people. In part, this was based on its interim report but it was also influenced by the Covid-19 nursing homes expert panel report. There are various reports going back to Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion, a HSE report from 2011. Today, the Sage Advocacy group again called for greater choice to be provided to our elderly people in the care they receive. Will the Government introduce legislation to allow care in the community for people so they will have a meaningful choice rather than being forced into residential care settings?

The Government is disposed, especially with the option in the fair deal scheme, to people having the option of home care-based supports. As the Deputy knows, in the recent budget there was a record allocation to home care packages and interventions in the community. It appears that is having an impact with a better flow in the hospital system and reduced waiting times for people on trolleys compared with this time last year. That is relative to admission rates as well. There is a commitment to look at giving legislative provision for home care.