Vol. 522 No. 3
37 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the support and funds available from his Department to groups in the community who carry out work in areas such as meals on wheels, befriending elderly living alone, and other such support services to people to the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14879/00]
Government policy on the care of older people is to maintain them in their homes for as long as possible. I am conscious that the role played by community groups supporting older people is vital to the success of this policy.
The funding of groups whose main aim is to promote the interests of and provide services directly to older people takes many forms. Funding is provided by my Department through the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority to some organisations by way of ongoing revenue funding or lottery grants.
My Department provides ongoing revenue funding through the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority to the following organisations: Age Action Ireland, Age and Opportunity, The Carers Association, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, The Federation of Active Retirement Associations,
Ongoing lottery funding is supplied to: the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, The Irish Association of Older People and Múintir na Tire, for its community alert scheme.
Health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority provide funding to a range of voluntary organisations, in their respective catchment areas, who provide services to older people, including meals on wheels.
In addition to financial assistance, health board staff liaise with and provide practical support to voluntary groups in the assessment of need and development of community based services for older people.
I should also point out that in relation to health and social support services for older people generally, substantial additional revenue and capital resources have been allocated by this Government in recent years to the improvement of residential and community support services for older people and it is intended to further develop these services as part of the national development plan.
