Frank O’Rourke TD has pressed the Government for additional resources to support older people
Deputy O’Rourke made the comments following a meeting with his Party colleague and Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Social Affairs, Willie O’Dea TD.
“I know from my weekly clinics, the lack of home care packages and inadequate resources for the Fair Deal scheme among other issues are a real concern for older people.”
“In addition to an increase in the Old Age pension that our party spokesperson, Willie O’Dea, has called for, it is important that the Government provide adequate resources for other areas associated with older people in the forthcoming budget,”
“Winter can be a very challenging time for older people and their families. It’s also a period that puts hospitals under pressure. As I established last year, the Kildare Wicklow region has a significantly higher waiting list for Home care packages than other area..”
“From my clinics, I come across people who are recovering from stroke, dealing with cancer and older people who need additional home supports, all requiring Home Packages.”
“It makes little sense to delay giving home care supports to people that need them and have been approved by the HSE to get them. It goes against the Government’s stated aim of ensuring people can continue living in their home if they so choose to do so and it is also leading to unnecessary overcrowding in our hospitals. There are many older people in hospitals that are ready to be discharged but are unable to return home as the necessary home care supports have not been put in place.”
“I am also calling for more resources for house adaptation grants as well, These grants are there to assist with independent living for older people. We should make progress on this issue in the forthcoming budget.”
“We all know that there are limited resources available, but providing resources for Older people is an important policy issue for me..”