asked the Minister for Health if he will outline staffing levels in each community care area, by reference to the number and grades of staff, and the numbers who are either employed on a permanent or temporary basis; and in the case of each staff grade the ratio of staff to population.
Written Answers. - Community Care.
472.
As the information requested involves a considerable volume of data, I am today sending it direct to the Deputy.
473.
asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the numbers on waiting lists in each community care area for residential placement with reference to (a) the elderly, (b) adult mentally handicapped, (c) adult physically disabled and (d) children who are physically disabled.
I would suggest that the Deputy should seek this information direct from the health boards.
474.
asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the number of children in care from each community care area who are in care (a) from outside that community care area, (b) outside that health board and the breakdown of these children between foster care and residential placement.
The information sought by the Deputy is not available in the detailed form requested. However, I am setting out below in tabular form the most up-to-date figures on children receiving care outside their respective health board areas. If the Deputy requires more detailed information, I suggest that he might contact the health boards direct.
|
Responsible health board |
No. of children from responsible health board in foster care outside board's area |
No. of children from responsible health board in residential care outside board's area |
Total |
|
Eastern |
32 |
30 |
62 |
|
Midland |
13 |
21 |
34 |
|
Mid-Western |
8 |
41 |
59 |
|
North-Eastern |
11 |
31 |
42 |
|
North-Western |
5 |
3 |
8 |
|
South-Eastern |
17 |
11 |
28 |
|
Southern |
10 |
5 |
15 |
|
Western |
0 |
14 |
14 |
475.
asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the number of foster parents in each community care area who are in receipt of allowances additional to the standard rate payable due to the special circumstances of the placement; the nature of such circumstances; and the guidelines given by him to health boards in this matter.
The information requested by the Deputy is available only on a health board area basis and is set out as follows:
|
Health Board |
No. of foster parents in receipt of additional allowances. |
|
Eastern |
20 |
|
Midland |
1 |
|
Mid-Western |
— |
|
North-Eastern |
— |
|
North-Western |
13 |
|
South-Eastern |
6 |
|
Southern |
5 |
|
Western |
11 |
Extra allowances are paid in these cases because of the severe mental or physical handicap of the children fostered or, in a small number of cases, because of ill-health.
Formal guidelines are not laid down but health boards are encouraged to assist foster parents by the best possible means, not only financially but also through the support afforded by the social work services. Social workers are always alert to change in family circumstances which may warrant assistance of financial or other means.