Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 5

Written Answers - Health Board Services.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

263 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding allocated by his Department to each of the health boards for the provision of home help services in each of the years 2000 to 2003 inclusive; the reason for the reduction of funding for home help in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9594/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am advised by the health boards that their budgets for the home help service for the years 2000-2003 inclusive, are as follows:

	Home Help Budget
Health Board	2000	2001	2002	2003
	€	€	€	€
NEHB	3,943,666	7,940,449	8,788,108*	8,165,391
NWHB	3,297,528	6,883,268	7,987,268	8,347,268
MHB	3,499,000	7,008,000	7,970,000	8,671,000
MWHB	4,133,456	9,741,212**	9,459,248	9,574,315
SEHB	3,605,456	8,477,244	8,891,659	9,196,719
SHB	12,300,000	27,900,000***	28,000,000	31,300,000
WHB	6,060,536	12,004,280	12,344,989	13,513,791

*The NEHB has advised that the 2002 budget included a once-off allocation of €800,000.

**The MWHB has advised that funding increased in 2001 due to the review of pay rates and the payment of arrears due.

***The SHB has advised that the 2001 budget provided for additional substantial increases relating to the implementation of the national home help agreement. While these were included in the budget for 2001 they were paid out in 2002.

Information concerning the ERHA will be forwarded to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

It can be seen from the above figures that none of the health boards mentioned are spending less on the home help service in 2003 than in 2002.