asked the Minister for Health the provisions in the 1988 Estimates for grant-aid for voluntary social service organisations under section 65 of the Health Act; the guidelines, if any, he issues for the distribution of such grant-aid; and if he has satisfied himself with the manner in which the health boards have carried out the wishes of the Oireachtas in the past three years in regard to newly-established voluntary social services organisations.
Written Answers. - Voluntary Social Service Organisations.
58.
Health boards are at the present time engaged in assessing the implications of the 1988 allocations which were notified to them on 27 October. Particulars of the level of grants to voluntary organisations will not be available until each board has adopted a detailed budget for 1988.
Paragraph 9 (ii) of my Department's letter of allocations states that "in determining their overall budgetary strategy for 1988 health boards should 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 after-care services for children leaving long-term residential care are maintained, at 1986 approved levels in real terms".
The letter also advocates that resources be specifically allocated to health education projects.
The letter of allocation for 1987 also advised health boards of the need to protect community services, including those provided by voluntary groups, in as far as possible. Given the very difficult financial positions of the boards in the current year, I am satisfied that this advice was acted upon.