The Government is being urged to re-evaluate the funding of community care. 

St Brendan’s Community Village Project in Mulranny, County Mayo claims it is struggling to compete with HSE-funded facilities.

It is calling for a level playing field in the funding of services, to stem the closure of smaller local care homes.

Mulranny Project spokesperson Dr Jerry Cowley said the Government needs to put funding on an equal footing. 

“This is exactly what people want but it is very difficult to keep it going,” he said. 

“Although I would wish every community in Ireland to have a similar facility, it won’t be replicated elsewhere unless the Government backs it by making it part of official policy and funding it the same as it funds its own HSE units.” 

Commission on Care

Last year, the Government announced the establishment of a Commission on Care and Dr Crowley said he hoped it would lead to a re-evaluation of the HSE’s funding model. 

“I’m calling on the Commission in the course of its work to recognise what we are putting forward,” he said. 

“The value of our community-based… model and to invest in the support as part of the future. 

“That way… older people will be the better for it.” 

According to the HSE, around 5% of elderly people need residential care.

Main image: A woman caring for an elderly woman. Image: Dmitriy Shironosov / Alamy Stock Photo