As 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.