A Roscommon TD is calling on Government to urgently act on homecare waiting times locally.
Claire Kerrane says hundreds of people across Roscommon and Galway are waiting up to 18 months for home help due to the long-running recruitment and retention crisis in the Sector.
The Sinn Fein representative claims this is resulting in many elderly people having to wait in Hospitals longer or move to a nursing home.
In response to the matter raised by the local deputy in the Dail Taoiseach Leo Varadkar acknowledged the crisis of finding staff and says they have relaxed work permit rules as well as making progress on a statutory homecare scheme.
Claire Kerrane believes anyone who wishes to be cared for at home should have that option.
''Hundreds of people in Roscommon and Galway remain on waiting lists for homecare- some wait up to 18 months. With the recent loss of step down beds, nursing home closures and a lack of respite available in both counties generally homecare is even more essential. there have been clear issues around recruitment and retention of homecare workers for a long time now and I also want to urge that there would be greater urgency from Government in relation to homecare.''
