Vol. 471 No. 5
96 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there will be no funding for home help in the South Eastern Health Board area until 1997; if finance will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21324/96]
Limerick East): Section 61 of the Health Act, 1970, enables health boards to make arrangements to assist in the maintenance at home of persons who, but for the provision of such a service would require to be maintained otherwise than at home. This section empowers, without obliging, health boards to provide support services such as home help, laundry and meals. It is a matter for each health board, within the overall financial allocation notified by my Department to decide the level of funding for the home help service.
The South-Eastern Health Board informs me that the home help service provided in the board's area is presently operating within budget. All applications are processed, with priority cases having first call on the service.
