The £1 million allocated to health boards for the benefit and support of carers was to be used in a flexible manner based on local needs. The Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards have provided the following information requested by the Deputy:
Eastern Regional Health Authority – £175,000 – Age Action and Care Alliance were provided with funding to set up carer support groups. The Carers Association was provided with funding to assist in the education and training of carers. Powerscourt parish was provided with funding for carer's transport. Crosscare provided respite care to carers. Age and Opportunity appointed a liaison officer to assist with the development and support of carers. Skerries Day Care Centre was upgraded to assist in respite breaks for carers and Our Lady of Lourdes, Sheriff Street, received funding towards its day care centre.
Midland Health Board – £100,000 – The allocation of funding was used for additional respite breaks during the summer months, to improve training for carers, to provide assistance to non statutory organisations, the funding of pilot projects and physio outreach activity.
Mid-Western Health Board – £125,000 – The additional funding has provided respite breaks for carers and the establishment of carer support groups in care units for older people in the board's area. Carer support groups were established in collaboration with social services organisations and provide training and ongoing support to carers who are primarily caring in the home.
North-Eastern Health Board – £100,000 – The allocation of funding was distributed to the three community care areas within the board's region. In the Meath community care area the allocation was used to grant aid voluntary organisations in the community. In the Louth community care area the allocation has been used to grant aid voluntary day care services, voluntary community services and to provide additional care supports to carers. In the Cavan-Monaghan area a project officer, grade IV, was appointed whose remit is to manage the links between the board's services and those of the voluntary sector. The project officer also provides support to existing voluntary activities-services and to the development of new initiatives which are aimed at improving the social well-being of the client group.
North-Western Health Board – £100,000 – The board funded a caring for the carers survey – a survey of carers of older people and-or dependent people in Sligo-Leitrim-west Cavan. A home care support service was funded which provides respite breaks for full time carers. The allocation also provided additional home help hours.