Tony Killeen
Ceist:26 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to increase funding for the home help service in County Clare. [16849/96]
Written Answers. - Health Board Funding.
Brendan Smith
Ceist:34 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to each health board in respect of the home help scheme in 1996; the proposals, if any, he has to provide additional funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16666/96]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 34 together.
Out of their overall allocations in 1996 the health board have provided the following sums for the home help scheme:
|
Health Board |
Funding £ |
|
Eastern Health Board |
4,404,000 |
|
Midland Health Board |
1,124,000 |
|
Mid-Western Health Board |
1,482,797 |
|
North-Eastern Health Board |
1,020,000 |
|
North-Western Health Board |
1,499,322 |
|
South-Eastern Health Board |
981,000 |
|
Southern Health Board |
2,949,902 |
|
Western Health Board |
1,721,442 |
|
Total |
15,182,463 |
The Mid-Western Health Board have apportioned £444,000 of their total allocation for the home help service provided in County Clare.
The issue of funding for the home help service has been raised a number of times in the recent past. My Department, in consultation with the chief executive officers of the health boards, has under consideration a number of aspects of the home help scheme, including the overall organisation of the service and the diversity of arrangements which exist within health boards for the provision of this service. A discussion document submitted by the chief executive officer group forms the basis for this examination.
Following on from these discussions, I have decided to have an examination of the operation of the home-help service carried out by an independent body which will advise on measures to ensure the equity and high quality of the service in respect of providers and recipients. I am pleased to say that my Department has invited tenders for this review. It is expected that the review should be completed in three to four months.