CHO 8 homecare waiting lists
Deputy Nolan raised severe homecare waiting lists in CHO 8 and cited HCCI figures showing many older people waiting for support. The Tánaiste said the issue was serious, would respond comprehensively, and noted the Department of Health had objected to the approach taken in CHO 8.
The new report by Home and Community Care Ireland, HCCI, on homecare waiting lists, which was covered in The Irish Times yesterday, reveals that 5,556 older people are waiting for homecare at the end of last year. The waiting list in CHO 8, which covers my constituency of Offaly and includes County Laois, rose steeply by 31% to 932 people waiting. This represents the second-highest waiting list in the State. In counties Laois and Offaly, between 350 and 400 people are on waiting lists for homecare. The reason for this increase is that in CHO 8 the HSE decided to ration homecare for financial reasons. At the end of 2024, HCCI learned that in CHO 8 the HSE stopped allocating most new homecare packages, with only 50% of recycled hours being allocated. While I understand that normal service is slowly resuming in CHO 8, unfortunately, the impact on care will be seen well into this year. Will the Tánaiste commit to implementing the HCCI policy recommendations to tackle the waiting lists such as setting up a waiting list task force, delivering targeted funding for rural homecare delivery, designing a homecare workforce strategy and encouraging homecare providers into homecare blackspots?
Comment on this
There is a lot there but I take very seriously the point the Deputy made on behalf of the people in CHO 8 and more broadly the point she made regarding HCCI and its very worthwhile and constructive report, which was published recently. I undertake to comprehensively respond to and engage with that organisation and with others. I am lucky enough to be sitting beside the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who worked in this area for a number of years. The Department of Health was not pleased with the approach that was taken regarding CHO 8. This was articulated to the HSE in writing. A total of 24 million hours were provided last year and we doubled the budget during the lifetime of the previous Government. I accept that there is still unmet demand. We are going to need to get to that point of delivering the major reform of a statutory homecare scheme but let me ask the Minister to come back directly to the Deputy on CHO 8.