Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2004
254 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will lift the embargo on the extension of home help to new patients in County Roscommon; the waiting list for home help in the Western Health Board Region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19660/04]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in the Roscommon area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the Western Health Board. The board has advised my Department that it is not in a position to recruit or start new home help staff. However, the board advises that it is currently contracting hours out to an independent agency, in order to provide a social care service which will enhance the home help service in the Roscommon region.
The information on the waiting list for home help in the Western Health Board region is not routinely collated in my Department. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to provide the information sought, which will be forwarded to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
255 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he intends to take to support polio survivors in view of the recently published survey which highlighted that this group is among the most marginalised sections of society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19661/04]
View answerThe provision of health services to people with physical and sensory disabilities, including polio survivors, is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards. My Department met with the Post Polio Support Group in 2002 and discussed a number of issues, including the possibility of setting up a high level committee to look into the issues surrounding this condition. While it is not deemed appropriate to establish such a committee, my Department undertook to investigate a number of issues which were raised and has been in contact with the group in this regard.
In accordance with the commitment in Sustaining Progress, my Department will conduct a strategic review of existing service provision for people with disabilities. Questions of access to aids and appliances and respite care, which have been raised by the Post Polio Support Group, will be examined as part of that review.
