Vol. 419 No. 2
63 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the present home assistance aid care programme available to people and in particular senior citizens who are suffering from serious diseases; if he will have the situation reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the community care ward scheme for the elderly organised by the Eastern Health Board. This kind of home support for the elderly was recommended in the report of the working group on services for the elderly — The Years Ahead. It was funded from the additional allocation of £2.3 million which was made available to the Eastern Health Board in 1990 and 1991 to develop services for the expanding elderly population. The new funding allowed for the recruitment of additional nurses, care attendants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, home helps, etc. I understand that the scheme is working well and that many elderly people have benefited from the intensive care at home that the scheme has provided.
