asked the Minister for Health in view of the comment made by a person (details supplied) in his Department at the recent two-day conference on health, entitled The Wider Dimensions at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, about the need for transition funding for community care services, if a planned transfer of resources from hospital to community-based care is to occur; the plans, if any, he has to provide additional funding for community care services such as community nursing, home help, and social work services, in the light of the massive reduction in hospital beds which has taken place in the last six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Community Care Services.
179.
As the Deputy will be aware it is my policy that the thrust of health policy should be to shift the emphasis from institutional care to health promotion and primary care. In this regard I have asked health boards to ensure that adequate resources is allocated from within their budgets to further these objectives.
I have also indicated that it is incumbent on health boards to secure, to the maximum degree, any reductions in expenditure which may be necessary in areas which do not directly affect patient care. In determining their overall budgetary strategy for 1988, health boards should therefore ensure that key services for the old and housebound are protected. Services such as community nursing services, home help services and meals-on-wheels, services for the handicapped, child care services (particularly day care and pre-school services for deprived and disadvantaged communities and aftercare services for children leaving long term residential care) should be maintained at 1986 approved levels in real terms.