Vol. 481 No. 4
139 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the current deficit for each health board between those seeking home help and the board's ability to supply this service; if he will make a statement on possible solutions in this regard. [16254/97]
140 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, which are being taken to put home help on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16255/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
I am aware that there is a general need to improve the home help service. Hence, my Department has decided to have an examination of the operation of the home help services carried out by independent consultants which will advise on how the services can be developed in tandem with the other community based services. Work on the review has commenced and the project is being overseen by a consultative committee of the National Council on Ageing and Older People. It is hoped to have a report finalised early in the new year. The information which the Deputy is seeking regarding the numbers of applicants for home help is not immediately available in my Department. I am having the information collated and will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
141 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of approvals for home help in the North-Western Health Board for each month to date in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16256/97]
The provision of home help services is based on an assessment of need by the relevant health board. The number of approvals for home help in the North-Western Health Board, for each month, to date in 1997 is as follows:
|
Month |
Number of approvals |
|
January |
59 |
|
February |
31 |
|
March |
22 |
|
April |
41 |
|
May |
22 |
|
June |
7 |
|
July |
7 |
|
August |
4 |
|
September |
10 |
|
Total to date |
203 |
