Press release
Minister for Mental Health and Older People announces historic further increases in Older Person funding in Budget 2023
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, has announced another record year with further increases in the Older Persons budget for 2023.
Minister Mary Butler said:
"I am pleased to welcome this Budget, which will make a real difference to the lives of many older people. My priority over the past weeks has been to secure additional funding for Budget 2023 to ensure the continuation of all services to a high standard.
"I am delighted to say I have secured €180 million additional funding for older people in Budget 2023, building on unprecedented increases of recent years. This will bring our investment in these services to over €2.4 billion in 2023, including nearly €12 million of new developments and make a real difference to many people’s lives.
"I am particularly pleased to announce that a further €50 million of funding will be allocated to deliver the target of 24 million hours of home care in 2023. My priority focus on the development of dementia services and supports will continue. This year will see an increase in 15% of new home care hours ringfenced for people with dementia, with a continuation of dementia at home supports and continued funding of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
"Community services are the backbone of social care provision and we will be investing €4.1 million in the reopening of day care services. Many of these day centres also offer Meals on Wheels and we will provide €1.8 million for maintaining and expanding this service nationally.
"Long-term residential care will also be supported through €47 million of additional funding for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to maintain services and manage inflationary increases. Energy and inflationary supports for the Nursing Home sector – both private and voluntary – have been secured and we are currently working through the details."
Other announced funding includes €5.2 million for the rollout of the Health Age Friendly Homes initiative nationally, and €4 million for the rollout of a new safeguarding policy for the health and social care sector.
Minister Butler concluded:
"Since I took office, ensuring supports for older persons’ health and wellbeing has been a priority for me. Older people have a right to age well with dignity, and with the correct wraparound supports."