Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 5

Written Answers. - Nursing Care.

Ivor Callely

Question:

90 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the number and value of nursing home subventions paid in 1993; if his attention has been drawn to the potential that exists through carers to promote and encourage people who require constant care to remain in their home environment and in their community which may reduce the demand for nursing home subventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The eight health boards have supplied me with the following figures in respect of nursing home subventions for 1993.

Health Board	Value	Number (of people)
	£
Eastern	4,490,000	1,539
Western	573,544	140
South-Eastern	627,000	220
North-Eastern	302,800	102
Mid-Western	1,519,576	520
Midland	112,373	135
North-Western	854,500	223
Southern	136,693	52

Supporting dependent people at home is a major objective of health policy. I am very conscious of the contribution made by carers to the maintenance of dependent people in their own homes. In recent years my Department has encouraged Health Boards to provide support services for these informal carers, whether by services in the home or by way of respite care in a hospital or nursing home. The carers' allowance, operated by the Department of Social Welfare provides a valuable source of income to many caring for a dependent relative in the home.

While the main aim of health policy will continue to be support of dependent persons at home, the growth in the older population and the increase in the numbers reaching advanced old age means that the need for long term nursing care, either in health board hospitals and homes or in private and voluntary nursing homes, will also continue to grow.