Madam, - The recent decision by the Supreme Court in relation to nursing home charges is welcome; but it does not address the longer-term issue of how we shall pay for the long term care of those in need of such care.
Comprehensive state support for home-based, long-term care - the explicit preference of most people - is not consistent with the existing bias towards hospital and nursing-home care. Nor indeed is it consistent with a low taxation policy.
We believe there needs to be more discussion on what level of additional taxation is appropriate to pay for our long-term care. The Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care suggests that an increase in PRSI rates of 2.1 per cent (about €11 a week for the average worker), would be sufficient to provide significantly for State-funded long-term care over the next 50 years. Already the state is experimenting with home-based subventions in a number of regions. Initial reports suggest that they are cost-effective and add to the quality of life for those concerned. Most importantly they offer a degree of choice to vulnerable people in how they are to be cared for.
However, the new HSE executives will have their hands full when attempting to negotiate additional funds for this area. Many people already feel they pay too much tax. But depending on which measurement you use, Ireland is either moderately or particularly low-taxed, compared with most EU states.
We in Care Alliance support the work of organisations concerned with carers' needs, and the provision of choice on how loved ones can be best cared for. - Yours, etc.,
LIAM O'SULLIVAN, National Development Officer, Care Alliance Ireland, Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2.