Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has called for more funding for Home Supports services for older people and those who are ill or have a disability following the release of figures from the HSE which revealed that 179 people are currently waiting for home support services in Dublin South West.

The Sinn Féin TD said that many people are stuck in expensive hospital or step down beds because the current HSE system cannot or will not release funds to free up the blockage and meet the demand that is clearly there.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Home Support services allow older citizens to stay in their homes and provide support for those who are ill or disabled.

“Care delivered in the home is the preferred form of care for most people and their families. It is also vital important for older people that they can live independently for as long as possible in their own home.

“Unfortunately, under this Fine Gael-led government, with the support of Fianna Fáil, Home Support services have been seriously underfunded and are unable to meet the growing demand that exists for services.

“In a recent Parliamentary Question reply the HSE revealed that a record 6,118 people are now waiting for a Home Support service across the State, with 179 located in the Dublin South West area.

“Many of these vulnerable people are desperately in need of assistance with help and support for everyday tasks like filling a kettle, getting dressed, getting in and out of bed, a helping hand when it comes to cooking, getting in and out of a shower, or someone to be there when needed, surely that is not too much to ask?

“The HSE can only deliver Home Support relative to the funding it receives, and currently it is not receiving enough funding to deliver Home Support to meet the needs of older people.  That has to change.

“The Home Support crisis means that many older people have to wait for longer and longer periods of time to access supports. Some older people are currently accessing services but are not receiving enough care hours, whereas others have had their limited hours cut, and many more are stuck in expensive hospital or step down beds because the current HSE system will not release funds to free up the blockage and meet the demand that is clearly there.

“The current system is extremely cruel, and it doesn’t make any social, economic, or financial sense. It cannot be allowed to continue.

“The Government has a responsibility to ensure that older people and those with disabilities who need home support are cared for with dignity and the respect they deserve.”

ENDS