Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 26 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 7

Written Answers. - Voluntary Groups Funding.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

67 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the tremendous work being carried out throughout the country by voluntary groups concerned with the terminally ill under the aegis of home care teams; if he accepts that insufficient funding is being provided for this essential work; if he will undertake to review allocations being made through the statutory agencies and through the national lottery so that this service can be expanded and developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

I am aware of the valuable contribution by voluntary groups concerned with care of the terminally ill and the work carried out under the aegis of the home care teams. Multidisciplinary care is provided for patients in the community by these voluntary bodies in close co-operation with hospital and public health nursing services in the health boards and by liaison with hospice based home care teams where appropriate.

I am satisfied that the value of the contribution to patient care provided by these voluntary groups is appreciated by my Department and by the health boards. My Department encourage co-operation at a local level to ensure the public voluntary services provided for the terminally ill are complementary to one another.

Allocation of lottery funds to local voluntary groups is a matter for the chief executive officer of each health board. Any local voluntary group caring for the terminally ill wishing to receive lottery funding should apply to the health board in the first instance.