An independent senator has voiced concerns about a potential rural versus Dublin “homecare divide” which he believes is “leaving rural communities behind”.
Senator Victor Boyhan, has called on the new government to address concerns around homecare waiting lists which he believes highlights a growing Dublin versus rural homecare divide.
According to the senator latest figures suggest that there are in the region of 4,702 people on waiting lists for homecare support across Ireland.
The numbers show a quarter of the waiting list is based in one of the nine healthcare regions, with 1,160 in Cork and Kerry.
A further 752 people are believed to be waiting in Limerick, Clare, and north Tipperary.
But the senator has questioned why there appears to be no waiting list located in Dublin north or Dublin north central region.
In contrast, he said the South Tipperary, Carlow/Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford region has the second-highest waiting list with 851.
Limerick, Clare and Tipperary North are third with 752.
Waiting list
Senator Boyhan said that when it comes to Counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, and Monaghan there are 674 people on homecare waiting lists.
He believes there are also 261 people waiting in Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon, and 285 are waiting in Wicklow, and Dublin south east.
It is also estimated that there are 431 in Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth, and Meath.
According to Senator Boyhan the issue is not just about funding homecare in rural areas but also ensuring there are enough resources to solve the problem.
Homecare
Senator Boyhan has described the current situation where “almost half of those in need of homecare” are based in just a handful of counties as “an appalling state of affairs”
He has called on the new coalition government to “deal with the situation”.
‘There is a need for action rather than fine sentiments to resolve such inequity.
“Rural communities are being left behind regarding the support the state is capable of providing,” Senator Boyhan added.
He believes that “guaranteeing a living wage to carers and helping to ensure that carers can get appropriate respite needs to be part of the solution”.
“Access to homecare for the most vulnerable should not be decided by postcode.
“The current situation is a lottery and that’s not acceptable,” Senator Boyhan said.
He has urged the new government to “prioritise funding and capacity for additional homecare packages equally across the country”.
“Rural communities cannot be left behind’ – 4,702 people are on the waiting list for homecare,” Senator Boyhan said.