Plight of Tipperary family relying on neighbour for home care raised in the Dáil

A Tipperary family have had to rely on the generosity of their neighbour to provide home care while they wait on an answer for their home care application, the Dáil has heard. 

The situation was raised by Deputy Martin Browne during questions on hospital services in the Dáil with Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly. 

"I have a situation in Carrick-on-Suir involving a family, a man and a wife, depending on their neighbour for home care. She has applied since May and cannot even get an answer back as to whether or not that family can have home care," Deputy Browne said.

"If I give the Minister the details, will he look into it for us? That family is depending on a neighbour who is working," Deputy Browne added. 

"I certainly will look into it," Minister Donnelly said.

"The Deputy can give the details to me or the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and we will certainly take a look," he said.

"The Minister of State and I are very much aware that while there are millions more home care hours being delivered and they are providing an awful lot of support to individuals and families right across the country, a little more than 3,000 people have been approved for funding and are waiting. The Minister of State led a really important new contract that has been taken up, which improves the terms and conditions for home carers.

"It sets out a minimum base for the living wage and it has payments for travel time. Our aim is to go from 21.5 million hours delivered this year to adding another 0.5 million hours next year as well. Our hope is that is exactly the kind of expansion that will help the families the Deputy references, who we are acutely aware are in need of that support," Minister Donnelly told the Dáil.