Severe shortage: Longford TD calls for urgent action on home care scheme

Longford Westmeath Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy has called for the immediate implementation of a statutory home care scheme, highlighting the severe shortage of home care staff in Longford and across the country.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Carrigy emphasised the growing crisis faced by families caring for elderly relatives, many of whom have been allocated home care hours but cannot access the support due to staff shortages within the HSE.

“The Programme for Government commits to designing a statutory home care scheme to allow people to remain in their homes for as long as possible,” said Deputy Carrigy.

“In County Longford, I know of numerous families struggling to look after loved ones, despite being allocated home care hours. The reality is that there are simply no staff available to provide these services. As a result, families are left with no choice but to consider nursing home care, which will ultimately place a greater financial burden on the State.”

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Deputy Carrigy directly questioned Tánaiste Simon Harris on when a comprehensive home care scheme would be introduced to support elderly people in Longford/Westmeath and across Ireland.

In response, Tánaiste Simon Harris acknowledged the challenges faced by families in Longford and Westmeath, while highlighting the significant investment made in home care hours last year.

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“In 2023, Longford and Westmeath delivered over 660,000 home help hours, exceeding the target by 51,000 additional hours. Funding has been provided for this year to at least maintain that level of service,” said Tánaiste Harris.

Recognising that staffing shortages are a major barrier, he also confirmed that a recruitment campaign for healthcare support assistants is currently underway in Longford and Westmeath to help address the shortfall.

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However, the Tánaiste agreed with Deputy Carrigy’s call for a long-term solution, stating that the Government is committed to introducing a statutory home care scheme, similar to the Fair Deal scheme for nursing home care.

“At the moment, it is not right that the only statutory scheme for older people is for nursing home care,” he said. “We need a statutory home care scheme to ensure people have the option to receive proper care in their own homes. This is a commitment in the Programme for Government, and Minister for Older People, Minister O’ Donnell, will progress it further.”

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Welcoming the recruitment drive, Deputy Carrigy stressed that urgent action is needed to implement the statutory home care scheme.

“I will continue to push for a clear timeline on when this home care scheme will be introduced. Families in Longford/Westmeath and throughout the country deserve certainty and support, and I will continue to raise this issue until we see real progress,” he concluded.

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