Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 5

Written Answers. - Carers of the Sick.

Toddy O'Sullivan

Ceist:

49 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to provide short term respite care to enable carers of the elderly or carers of sufferers of Alzheimer's disease to have a break from their exhausting responsibilities.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The report of the working party on services for the elderly —The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly emphasised the need to support those caring for elderly relatives, including those with Alzheimer's disease.

Recommendations of direct relevance to carers include the expansion of the home nursing and home help service, the provision of more day care and day hospital places, the development of respite facilities and the provision of additional extended care accommodation.

The Government have accepted the recommendations of the report in principle and my Department are working towards their implementation. Health boards are preparing plans to implement the recommendations of the report. My priority is to strengthen support for disabled elderly people and their carers at home and to provide short term care to relieve families under stress. I am making an additional allocation of £5 million available this year to strengthen home nursing and home help services and short term care, including day care. This additional funding will enable health boards to assist carers of elderly relatives, including these suffering from Alzheimer's disease.