asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce the necessary legislation to give health boards statutory authority for the boarding out of elderly patients.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Care of Aged.
22.
asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce legislation to give health boards statutory power to provide financial or other aid to voluntary bodies giving a service for the aged.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
Health boards have the necessary authority under section 61 of the Health Act, 1970, and section 65 of the Health Act, 1953, respectively.
I might mention that health boards have availed themselves of these powers. In regard to the boarding out of elderly patients, two health boards in particular, the Eastern and the Midland Health Boards, have pilot schemes in operation and as regards the power to give assistance to bodies providing services for the aged, my programme for the development of voluntary community services clearly indicates that such financial assistance may be granted within certain generous limits without any prior reference to my Department. The amount available for the latter purpose in the current financial year is £300,000. The scheme is explained in a leaflet which was prepared in my Department last year. I circulated copies of that leaflet to Deputies with the documentation in regard to my Estimate earlier this year. For the Deputy's convenience I am sending him a further copy.
24.
asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the allowances to all hospitals now caring for the aged in view of the very high cost of maintaining these patients.
Most old people receiving institutional care are maintained in homes run by health boards, and the full running costs form part of the board's expenditure.
The majority of voluntary institutions caring for the aged receive capitation payments from health boards. These payments are related to the actual costs of maintenance as ascertained from annual accounts.
In respect of a relatively small number of private homes catering for old people who exercise an option to be maintained in them, a contribution of £7 a week in general is paid by health boards towards costs. Having regard to the costs in the homes run by the boards themselves, this is a reasonable figure, allowing for normal receipts from private sources.
If the Deputy has in mind any particular institutions, perhaps he would get in touch with my Department about them.