SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Martin Ferris TD, has described as “indefensible” the revelations that over two years the HSE cut Home Help hours in the Kerry area by over 16,000 hours.

The revelation came in response to a parliamentary question by Sinn Fein Health spokesperson, Louise O’Reilly TD, which revealed that in 2014 Kerry received 567,300 home help hours and in 2017 it received 550,888 hours.

Deputy Ferris said: “These statistics are indefensible. Over the last two years my constituency offices have been inundated with queries regarding Home Help.

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“This Government wants to privatise it and is consistently promoting private home care to individuals and families requiring Home Help for their loved ones.

“Instead of cutting them, the Government needs to increase Home Help hours to enable elderly people remain in their homes and give them every opportunity to remain independent for as long as possible.

“Home Help is essential for people in rural Ireland especially people living alone who depend on their carer and don’t have anyone else calling to see them.

“Without this service more of our elderly are forced into long-term care in nursing homes which is causing more strain on the health service.

“It is long recognised that by remaining in their homes and community people have a better standard of living, therefore the Government needs to put the services in place to allow this,” said Deputy Ferris.