Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Older People and TD for Waterford Mary Butler has welcomed the focus on older people in the draft Programme for Government.
Deputy Butler said, “The draft Programme for Government contains a number of very welcome commitments in relation to older people and carers, many of which were in our General Election manifesto, including the promise to develop a ‘Carers Guarantee’, which will provide a core basket of services to carers across the country, regardless of where they live.
“The proposal to develop a statutory scheme to assist people to live in their own homes has also now become a key commitment in the document.
“I am particularly pleased that there is now a dedicated focus on dementia care in the draft Programme for Government, including pledges to implement the National Dementia Care Strategy, ensure that home support is adaptable and responsive to the needs of those with dementia and also the commitment to increase the number of dementia advisers.
“As the Party’s Spokesperson on Older People, I have been to the fore in calling for a greater focus on older people and carers and I believe that these policies, if implemented, will have a positive and transformative impact on the lives of older people and carers.
“The care of older people has been thrown in to sharp focus during the Covid-19 Pandemic and it is clear that a new approach is badly needed. The ad-hoc and haphazard system of care that is currently in place is failing older people and carers. It is clear that we need a comprehensive suite of supports and services for older people and carers and I believe that the draft Programme for Government marks a major step forward, and that is why I am endorsing it”, concluded Deputy Butler.