Vol. 475 No. 1
127 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no funding is currently available in south Tipperary for the home help service; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the home help situation in south Tipperary is acute due to the exhaustion of such resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4204/97]
Limerick East): As the Deputy will be aware, 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 inform me that the home help service in the South Tipperary area is currently operating within budget, with priority cases, and in particular, those individuals who have no family members available to assist them, having first call on the service.
