Laois TD Brian Stanley has described the cuts in home help hours as ‘shameful’.
After receiving a reply to the parliamentary question though Sinn Fein’s Health Spokesperson Louise O’Reilly TD, the Laois TD has demanded that the HSE explain why the number of Home Help Hours provided in Laois and Offaly were cut.
14,558 hours cut in home help services
A total of 14,558 hours were cut between 2016 and 2017.
Deputy Stanley said: “The HSE stated that home help hours in Laois and Offaly for 2016 were 316,097 and in 2017 that was cut to 301,539.
“That is 14,558 less home help hours in this region – this is utterly shameful.
“This is completely unacceptable and I would like the HSE to explain why this is the case. It is clear that from calls I receive from families looking for Home Help for their loved ones that the demand has not reduced,” added the Sinn Féin TD.
Deputy Stanley also said that 190 elderly people were on a waiting list for Home Help.
“In a previous question to me the HSE confirmed that 323 elderly people were approved for home help in 2017 in Laois, but 190 of those people were still waiting to be provided with hours.
“When people can avail of the home care/home help packages that are available from the HSE, it is a very good service. With the change of demographics and with the number of elderly people due to increase dramatically in the coming years, we need to put the structures and supports in place to cope with the increase demand,” he said.
He also suggested revisiting Sinn Fein’s budget proposals for extra home help hours and home care packages.
“I’m calling on the Minister to revisit this area and make better use of the finances available.
“Home Help is an essential service for the sick and elderly especially in rural Ireland where people may not have anyone else calling to see them from one end of the week to the other.
“It is an increase in Home Help hours that is needed not a reduction and I would like the HSE and Government to explain what is going on here,” he concluded.
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