Thomas P. Broughan
Question:43 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the timetable for the completion of the work of the working group on carers' needs assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26830/01]
Written Answers. - Departmental Reports.
It is the intention to convene a further meeting of the working group on carers needs assessment, in the month of January next, with a view to reaching a conclusion on the contents of recommendations to the relevant Ministers outlining improved measures in the provision of assistance to informal carers. Since the working group first met in 1999, my Department has continued to provide funding to the health boards to grant specific assistance to carers, and the total funding, taking next year's Estimates into account, now stands at around £4.8 million or 6.095 million. In addition, conditions for receipt of the carer's allowance have been eased by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
The new health strategy, which was launched last week, accepts that a large number of older people would like the option of receiving care in their home rather than in a nursing home and it, accordingly, recommends a number of key actions that will assist care-givers to enable this to happen.
It points to the fact that the recent expenditure review of the nursing home subvention scheme has shown that current funding arrangements do not effectively support home care, and gives a commitment to reform existing schemes by introducing an integrated care subvention scheme which will maximise support for home care.
I look forward to receiving the working group's report and to seeing how we can move forward with implementing its recommendations in a manner consistent with the principles outlined in the health strategy.