‘Profit over compassion’ as Donegal has 351 on list awaiting home help

There are 351 people waiting to avail of home help across the county, according to recent HSE figures published. 

Currently, nearly 3,000 people are receiving home help in Donegal. The wait list has been caused by staff shortages and government policy, according to Glenties LEA Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig. 

“I am working with a number of families that have been approved for home help for their loved ones, of whom require care,” Cllr Micheál Choilm said. 

“Unfortunately, their needs are not being met because the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government has neglected to recruit the much-needed staff to provide this vital service for the most vulnerable in our society and communities.

“Therefore, our neighbours, friends and loved ones are left to languish in hospitals for months while they wait for necessary care packages. This is an outrageous omission by government policy makers who promote best practice only on paper and in their manifestos for votes.”

It is understood that there are over fifty people on a HSE panel who are eligible for immediate employment. However, these decisions are being made externally, outside of the county. 

“It is clearly obvious that the Government are downgrading our HSE service to make way for private companies to provide this service in the interest of profit. As a result, it is our families, neighbours and loved ones who are denied a much-needed quality service as capitalist policies take hold.

“I would urge people to challenge the privatisation of vital health care and those who are responsible for this failed policy. Politicians tell us, especially at election time, that they will work tirelessly on our behalf. What they are really saying is that they will work tirelessly in the interest of the private healthcare companies, which put profits before the needs of our loved ones, families and neighbours.

“It is clearly obvious that the agenda of the government is to fully privatise this invaluable service within our community. The privatisation of this service has already taken hold throughout the Country, North and South.

“It is time to organise for the needs and humanity of our communities and for all those who look after our loved ones.”

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An individual has been held in hospital for over two years, which Cllr Micheál Choilm has been supporting.  In the case of a family, a mother is in the hospital for the foreseeable future until someone can provide the 20 hours of home help they have been approved for. 

The knock-on effect of privatisation puts a strain on the most vulnerable, requiring home care and on the public healthcare system. Currently, more than 13 private healthcare companies are operating in Donegal. 

“These private companies have fifteen plus per cent of the market,” he adds.”It is important that we continue within the HSE to employ direct, as it is not acceptable that there are 50 plus people sitting on a panel that could start work immediately to reduce the waiting list.

“We must always remember that the sole objective of private companies is to make a profit. In addition, it is important to point out that workers' rights are also compromised by private companies.

“It is time to end this insanity and fight for the rights of those who require this necessary service and to protect the employment rights of carers who work in the service.

“The recruitment process isn’t going the way it should be. It is driven by the government's ideological position of privatisation, profiting off our sick loved ones. We require services which come from a place of consideration, but the government wants profit over compassion.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme