Call to reinstate full home help services in Leitrim

A call for the HSE to fully reinstate home help services in Leitrim received unanimous support at Monday’s meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon municipal district.

Cllr Sean McGowan, who proposed the motion, questioned policy changes affecting tasks performed by home care personnel.

“When this is done properly, it’s a great service. It helps to keep people in their home and we want to keep people in their homes as long as possible,” Cllr McGowan said.

“The carers used to light a fire, set up the clients for the day and prepare a meal but the rules have changed.

“It’s against the whole spirit of what home help is about. The home help services is a great idea and was initially funded properly to allow people to spend time with their clients,” he added.

Leitrim gets zero money from €2.7 billion house building fund

Leitrim is one of three counties that have never received funding from Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI), a state agency set up to help housebuilders who can't get loans from banks.

Cllr McGowan stressed that older people must not be “shortchanged” and highlighted the importance of supporting them within the community.

All members of Carrick-on-Shannon municipal district support Cllr McGowan’s motion.

Cllr Paddy Farrell noted that the issue will be raised at the next meeting of the HSE forum.

“It’s been changed now that you can’t put out the ashes for your client and it’s only personal care, but what’s more personal than keeping a person warm in their house?” Cllr Reynolds commented.

Cllr Reynolds also criticised the limited time for allocated visits, saying a 15 or 20 minute service leaves staff rushing and it is unfair both to carers and those receiving care. She described the current system as unfit for purpose.

Cllr Guckian emphasised the vital importance of the service and called for an extension to carers’ visiting times. “There needs to be an extension to the period of time a carer can stay at a particular clients house. At the moment it’s far too short.”

The motion will be forwarded to the HSE for consideration.

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