Vol. 557 No. 1
352 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the case for permitting relatives and family members of the elderly and the disabled to be employed as home helps; and the measures he proposes to take in this regard. [21211/02]
In my reply of 15 October 2002 to a previous question from the Deputy on the same subject, I explained the background to the issues of non-employment of relatives as home helps, except in very exceptional circumstances. As previously stated, the operation of the home help scheme is a matter for the chief executive officers of the health boards. I can understand why they have misgivings about paying relatives and family members to act as home helps but I will bring the Deputy's interest and concern to the attention of the chief executive officers to ascertain if they feel that any relaxation of the guidelines is warranted.
