Dan Neville
Question:104 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people awaiting services under the home help scheme in each of the health board areas. [11138/99]
Written Answers. - Home Help Scheme.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. However, I have had inquiries made of the health boards and I am informed that the number of people awaiting services under the home help scheme is as follows:
|
Health Board |
Number |
|
Eastern Health Board |
165 (approx.) |
|
Midland Health Board |
Nil |
|
Mid-Western Health Board |
77 |
|
North-Eastern Health Board |
Nil |
|
North-Western Health Board |
Nil |
|
Southern Health Board |
3 |
|
South-Eastern Health Board |
Nil |
|
Western Health Board |
38 |
The important role played by the home helps in the care of older people is widely recognised and there is growing demand for the home help service to be better organised and developed. In this regard, my Department commissioned an examination of the future organisation of the home help service in Ireland by the policy research centre of the National College of Ireland under the direction of the National Council on Ageing and Older People. This report has been published and is being considered by the health boards and my Department with a view to early implementation. Any difficulties that have arisen in the operation of the service will be examined as part of this process.