Vol. 527 No. 3
225 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he provides funding either directly through the national lottery or through health boards for organisations that represent carers; if he will name the organisations and indicate if they are active in the Mid-Western Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28322/00]
My Department is very much aware of the contribution of carers in looking after dependent people in the home. An annual grant is provided for the Carers Association by my Department and in 2000 the grant was £270,000.
Since 1999 an additional £2 million has been allocated by my Department to health boards for the benefit and support of carers. It is a matter for each individual health board to decide the allocation of funds based on local needs and priorities. Voluntary groups involved in caring for older people, both nationally and locally based, have received funds under this allocation.
I am advised by the Mid-Western Health Board that for the year 2000 the active carers organisations which received funding from the Mid-Western Health Board are – Clare: Caring for Carers; Limerick: Soroptomists International; Carers Association; Caring for Carers; Tipperary: Limerick Social Services, Roscrea Carers, Thurles Carers, Cappamore Carers Development Association, North Tipperary Community Services.
