Hundreds of vulnerable Laois-Offaly people waiting for vital home supports

Nearly 580 vulnerable older men and women in Laois and Offaly, who have been cleared to get health supports at home, are languishing on another Health Service Executive waiting list.

Yet if the same Laois Offaly residents lived down the road in Carlow or Kilkenny or in Tipperary, they would not be waiting at all.

The two counties, which are rolled into one for the purposes of home health supports, also rank fourth worst in the country in terms of the number waiting.  

Laois TD Brian Stanley is furious. 

"It is shocking over 578 of the most vulnerable people are waiting for home support services across Laois and Offaly," he said.

The Sinn Féin TD said home support services such as home care packages and home help hours are some of the most important services the HSE provide.

"They allow for older people to stay in their homes and this is important for those with ailments or disabilities. It is also much more cost effective as Home Help support is far less expensive for the HSE and the taxpayer.

“As the number of over 65s in the State grows, it is important that funding for home support and the number of people employed by the HSE to deliver home support grows to meet demand.

“Government has not given the necessary financial and human resources to ensure the HSE can deliver adequate home support nationwide," he said.

Dep Stanley said he has made numerous representations for elderly people across the constituency in desperately need.

“Such waiting times for people can contribute to the escalation of illnesses, older people can have accidents, and it also causes delayed discharges from hospitals.

“Older people or those having a disability are being ignored by this Government. The State must ensure older people and those who have a disability can get the home support they need and live at home with respect, with dignity, and as comfortably as possible," he said.

Nationally 6,285 vulnerable people waiting for home support across.  Galway, at 674, has the highest number of people waiting.