Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 4

Written Answers. - Community Support Services.

David Stanton

Question:

98 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of respite beds in Cork and Kerry administered by the Southern Health Board; the charge, if any, requested by the Southern Health Board from carers in receipt of the carer's allowance in respect of people receiving full-time care and attention who avail of these respite beds; the amount of money, if any, collected by the Southern Health Board in 1998 and 1999 from carers in this regard; the position in the other health board regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14027/00]

David Stanton

Question:

99 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of day care places, respite beds and full-time beds provided by the Southern Health Board in the Cork area for Alzheimer's patients; the resources currently being made available from his Department in the Southern Health Board in order to support and care for Alzheimer's patients; the plans, if any, he has to improve the services in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14029/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not, as a matter of course, retained in my Department. I have asked the chief executive officers of the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority to compile the information and respond to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

I should also point out that additional revenue funding provided to services for older people has been increased significantly in recent years. In 1998, the additional amount provided by this Government was £7 million and in 1999 the figure was £16 million. This figure has risen to £23.6 million for 2000. When nursing home subventions are included, this investment will total nearly £30 million.

Funding has been increased in a number of areas. There is £10.4 million for improved pay for home helps in 2000. An additional £0.08 million will be allocated this year to extend the scope of the service to cover more people or provide more hours for existing clients.

Over £5 million was allocated for 2000 to meet,inter alia, increased demand for nursing home subvention and the additional costs arising from higher dependency levels. The allocation for 2000 is approximately £38 million.

Additional geriatricians, with support staff, have been approved to supply specialist-led services in acute hospitals, while psychiatry of old age services were also boosted. A total of 13 old age psychiatrist posts have now been approved where only four such posts were in place when this Government came to office.

Funding of £0.08 million has been allocated in 2000 for additional nursing and para-medical supports. These supports should lead to a more acceptable locally based service for older people and a more efficient use of acute hospital beds.

A total of £1 million in funding was provided to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to continue to provide day care services and to develop new ones. A total of £1 million was provided in 1999 to help carers by way of respite care, etc. An additional £1 million was also provided in 2000. This funding will be allocated through the health boards based on local needs. In 1999 the money was used to provide support through the employment of liaison officers and nurses and the provision of respite breaks.

The national development plan will provide £208 million capital funding to services for older people in the period 2000-06 inclusive.