asked the Minister for Health if he will extend home help services for families in stressful situations such as confinements, handicapped children, elderly parents etc.
Written Answers. - Home Help Services.
742.
The home help service is normally provided by health boards themselves but in some areas it is organised on an agency basis through local voluntary groups. The service is designed to assist disadvantaged people with household duties and personal care which they are unable to undertake themselves. I am satisfied that the policy of health boards, in general, as well as voluntary bodies in relation to the allocation of home-helps is a flexible one and that families with problems such as those described by the Deputy can be considered for the service. I might add, however, that we have not yet reached a situation where we have a sufficient number of home helps to meet all the demands made on them.