Michael Ring
Question:236 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children whether eligibility for home help assistance is now being means tested; if so, when this regulation came into force; and the criteria in this regard. [7188/98]
Written Answers. - Home Help Scheme.
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 services such as home help. Eligibility for home help services is based on an assessment of needs. However, the above legislation provides that the service may be provided with or without a charge, at the health board's discretion. Many of the boards have introduced nominal charges on a sliding scale based on the recipient's income.