Vol. 475 No. 5
102 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the excellent service which home helps provide; if his attention has been drawn to the document entitled Review of Home Help Services in the Eastern Health Board area which was published October 1996; the likely development of the home help service over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5271/97]
Limerick East): As the Deputy will be aware the home help plays a most important role in the care of the dependent elderly. As Minister for Health I am extremely conscious of the excellent work carried out by the home helps themselves and the mainly voluntary groups which organise the service on behalf of the health board.
I am aware that the Eastern Health Board have carried out an internal review of the home help service in the board's area and that a report has been produced. The board has identified a number of issues in this report and have made recommendations vis-à-vis the development of the service over the next few years. I understand that the Eastern Health Board are setting up a broad based group which will include representatives of the voluntary groups and home help organisers to consider the findings and recommendation contained in the review.
In response to previous questions in this House I stated that the Department in consultation with the chief executive officers of the health boards has under active consideration a number of aspects of the home help scheme, including the overall organisation of the service and the diversity of arrangements which exist within the health boards for the provision of this service.
A discussion document submitted by the chief executive officers group formed the basis for this examination of the home help services. Following on from these discussions, my Department decided to have an examination of the operation of the home help services carried out by an independent body which will advise on how the services can be developed in a cost effective way in tandem with the other community based services. Following receipt of tenders for this review, the contract has been awarded and the work will commence shortly. It is expected that the review will be completed before the end of the year.
