Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 4

Written Answers. - Care of the Elderly.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

84 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals he has to provide funding towards the development of services for the elderly in the Southern Health Board area; the way in which his proposals will facilitate the development of the board's strategy entitled Ageing with Confidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18234/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

The provision of health services in County Cork and County Kerry is a matter for the Southern Health Board. As mentioned by the Deputy, the board has adopted a strategy, Ageing with Confidence, for the people of Cork and Kerry for the development of services for older people.

Under the National Development Plan, 2001-2006, a total of £35.487 million is being provided to the Southern Health Board for capital investment in the development of services for older people. It is a matter for the board to decide its priority developments within the national development plan. Additional revenue funding for the development of services for older people has increased significantly from £10 million in 1997 to an additional £57.427 million in 2001, including nursing home subvention funding.

My Department has allocated more than £13 million in additional funding to the Southern Health Board in 2001 for the further development of services for older people throughout Cork and Kerry. This includes more than £7 million for services for older people, £5.299 million for home help pay and almost £1 million to improve administration support for community hospitals. This funding is being used to progress the implementation of the board's Ageing with Confidence strategy in accordance with regional needs and national policy.