Edward Nealon
Question:237 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the number of home helps and part-time helps employed by the North Western Health Board; and how this compares with the corresponding numbers employed in 1985.
Written Answers. - North Western Health Board Services.
The number of home helps employed by the North Western Health Board in 1985 was 40, full time, and 381, part time. The number in 1990 is 26 and 335 respectively. The quality of the home help service has been maintained despite their reduction in the number of home helps as the health board has reorganised the manner in which the service is delivered, following an assessment of individual need.
In addition to the service provided directly by the staff of the board, a significant level of home help service is provided by voluntary organisations grant aided by the North Western Health Board in respect of such provision. The North Western Health Board's allocation from the additional £5 million made available by the Government this year to develop a service for the elderly will enable the board to make a substantial further investment this year in the home help service.
Edward Nealon
Question:238 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health if, in the distribution of national lottery funds from his Department through the North Western Health Board, Nazareth House, Sligo, which does excellent work in the care of the elderly, is to receive a grant for the refurbishment of lift facilities in the house.
The Deputy will recall that in my reply of 27 June to Parliamentary Questions No. 237, 238 and 250, I indicated that I am in the process of discussing with the chief executive officers of the eight health boards the size of the block allocation to be made available to each health board and the guidelines which will be attached to the distribution of these amounts. I expect to be in a position to issue the block allocations shortly and at that stage the selection of projects for assistance will be a matter for the health board concerned.