Joe Walsh
Question:159 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Health the home-support schemes operated by his Department in relation to families with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22813/96]
Written Answers. - Home Support Schemes.
Limerick East): As part of the 1992 development of services to people with a mental handicap, a special home support scheme was initiated to help meet the needs of families with a member with a mental handicap. The scheme works in a flexible manner; for example by providing assistance to clients in their homes, taking them to leisure activities and allowing carers a few hours off. The home support service is provided by both health boards and voluntary mental handicap agencies and is specifically targeted at those persons who have no service or an inadequate service.
People with physical disabilities receive home support through home help schemes provided either by the health boards or on their behalf by voluntary agencies to give domestic assistance to people who need it. A number of voluntary organisations provide a home care attendant service aimed at offering temporary relief to the carer by providing a care attendant to look after the daily living needs of the person with a disability. The service is available at weekends, overnight and at other unsociable times. The development of home support services for people with physical and sensory disabilities will be addressed in the context of the publication of the report of the Review Group on Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities.