asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a number of day care centres for the care of the elderly in the Midland Health Board area have been closed for the summer months; and if he will consider making a grant available to the voluntary committees to supplement the funds which they are raising to keep the centres open.
Written Answers. - Care of the Elderly.
575.
I am aware that the Midland Health Board have had to close six of the eight centres providing a day care service for the elderly for the months of June, July and August. All these centres will be fully operational again in September. A limited service is available at the Portlaoise centre. The centre in Longford is fully operational.
While regretting these closures I would like to point out that because of the additional allocation of £880,000 which I made available to the board last April it will be possible for the board to maintain all other elements of the community care programme at existing levels.
I regret that I have no funds at my disposal from which I can make direct grants to the voluntary committees. However, I understand that the additional funding which I allocated to the health board has enabled it to increase by 20 per cent the level of grant-aiding to voluntary organisations and committees providing meals, laundry and similar services for the elderly. The Home Help Service has also been fully maintained and increased in some instances.