Sinn Fein’s Cllr Johnny Mythen is calling for more funding for Home Support Services for older people and those who are ill or have a disability following the release of figures from the HSE which show that 527 people are waiting for home support services in County Wexford.
Cllr Mythen said: “Home Support services allow older citizens to stay in their homes and provides support for those who are ill or disabled, which in turn saves the state millions.
“Care delivered in the home is the preferred choice of most patients and their families.
Every older person should have the right to be looked after by their loved ones and live independently for as long as possible.
“Unfortunately, under-funding by the Government, propped up by the supply and confidence deal, means that this service cannot possibly meet the present demands needed for a quality home support service.”
A Parliamentary Question response released by the HSE has shown that there are 6,118 people waiting for a home support service across the State. Of this total, 527 are located in the CHO5 area, meaning County Wexford has the highest Home Support waiting lists in the South East and the fourth highest in the state.

“The HSE can only deliver Home Support relative to the funding it receives, and currently it is not receiving enough funding to deliver Home Support to meet the needs of older people, said Cllr Mythen, who added: “The result of this is that hundreds of older people in Co. Wexford are waiting for long periods of time to access these supports, and some of those who can access Home Support are not receiving enough hours care.”
Cllr Mythen concluded that the Government has a sworn duty of care to ensure that the elderly and those with disabilities who need home support are cared for with the dignity and respect they deserve, and politicians in Wexford must speak up for our older people.