asked the Minister for Health the total number of social workers employed by health boards to advise elderly persons on the range of services available for them in their own local areas.
Written Answers. - Services for Elderly.
234.
No social worker is employed by health boards with the specific responsibility of advising elderly persons on the range of services available to them. Such a service is, however, provided by the community care staff, including social workers, in the normal course of their work. The elderly are also advised by a range of voluntary organisations. In addition, they can obtain information on services through community information centres which are under the general direction of the National Social Service Council.
235.
asked the Minister for Health the total number of voluntary groups serving the needs of the elderly in Ireland.
There are approximately 250 social service councils and care of the aged committees throughout the country but in addition there will be many branches of voluntary organisations catering for needs of the elderly which are not members of these councils and committees.