asked the Minister for Health if he will state, further to a reply of 24th May regarding home help for elderly persons, what amount of money for this purpose has been allocated by Dublin Health Authority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Help for Elderly Persons.
30.
Mr. O'Malley
As I indicated in reply to the previous question on this subject, there is no legal provision at present which would permit Dublin Health Authority to allocate money for the specific purpose referred to. I am taking active steps to have the necessary legislation introduced at the earliest possible date. Pending that legislation, health authorities can make grants, under section 65 of the Health Act, 1953, to bodies which provide services similar or ancillary to services which they themselves can provide. As I indicated to Deputy O'Leary, I have already approved grants to voluntary organisations providing services for the aged which include, in addition to recognised health services, other services which are not so recognised, including home helps. The total amount so paid by Dublin Health Authority in respect of the year ended 31st March last was £1,650. In addition, the health authority which also has functions in regard to public assistance makes use of the limited powers available to it to provide home help for elderly persons as a form of home assistance. A total of £1,083 2s. 0d. was paid to individual beneficiaries in the form of home assistance to enable them to provide home helps.