Independent TD Tom Fleming called for the provision of supportive housing and nursing facilities to allow the elderly live in their communities.

“By 2026 it is envisaged that 16 per cent of the population will be aged over 65, compared with the current figure of 11 per cent,” said Mr Fleming.

“While nursing home care is the only option for many high- dependency patients, the existing model of prioritising that type of care is not sustainable into the future.”

He said it was vital to ensure sufficient funds were set aside in the budget for the Fair Deal scheme. In addition, there must be sufficient funding for the extra respite and acute hospital beds that were needed to solve overcrowding, he added.

“These matters can be addressed in the short term but the demographic issue requires a long-term approach,” he said.

Dependency needs

Mr Fleming said a recent report by the Alone organisation, which helps elderly people in need, showed more than a third of older people in long-term nursing homes had low to medium dependency needs.

“This means they could live at home if provided with adequate home care,” he added.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said discussions around the budget were a matter for the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.

“All of that will take place, including public engagement with different sectors, over the next while,” he added.

He said this year’s Health Service Executive service plan made reference to progressing the realignment of services to provide home and community care services to maximise the opportunity for older people to remain in their homes for as long as possible.

Currently, 10.3 million hours of home help services were provided, supporting 50,000 people. There were 13,800 people now in receipt of homecare packages, including 600 people who were supported under the delayed discharges initiative, said Mr Kenny.

He said 190 people were receiving intensive homecare packages at any time.