As I am sure you are aware the recent cuts announced by the Department of Health have been met with considerable outrage throughout the country. While I welcome the announcement regarding the reassessment of the cuts to personal assistant services, the remaining measures will have a monumental impact on thousands of highly vulnerable people.
In particular I would like to draw your attention to the reduction in the allocation of home care packages, which clearly runs contrary to Government policy on assisting older people in avoiding long term residential care wherever possible. There is a very real possibility that these cuts will leave vulnerable people more isolated, and at higher risk of being admitted to hospital, which will put even more pressure on the overspending on hospital budgets.
Accordingly, before any action is taken it is of the utmost importance that such measures undergo serious consideration and a thorough debate, precisely the mandate of the Committee on which we both serve. Thus, I believe it is necessary for an emergency meeting of the Committee on Health and Children be convened as soon as possible to examine the facts of the matter.
I look forward to hearing from you in the hope you see fit to grant this request as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Denis Naughten TD