Vol. 480 No. 2
163 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if a home help allowance can be granted to a daughter who is caring for her mother on a six day week basis from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and who is not living in the house with her mother. [13429/97]
Under section 61 of the Health Act, 1970, health boards may make arrangements to assist in the maintenance at home of persons who, but for the provision of such a service, would require to be maintained otherwise than at home.
The home help service is operated as a "good neighbour" scheme and it is, therefore, not health board policy to pay relatives to undertake these duties. However, if the Deputy wishes to let me have the details of the individual concerned, I will ask the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to look into the matter with a view of exploring other options for assisting this family.
