Vol. 483 No. 2
55 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost to the health boards of the current home help service in view of the Government's intention to introduce a national minimum wage; the cost if a £5 per hour minimum wage was in place; and whether provision is being made in the 1998 Estimates to provide the extra moneys needed. [19803/97]
The current cost of the home help service throughout the country is approximately £17 million. The number of beneficiaries is around 19,674. It is important to emphasise that the underlying philosophy governing the operation of the home help scheme is that it is a community based good neighbour scheme which would attract volunteers primarily motivated by the desire to engage in community service. The service does not come within the realm of conventional employment.
The Deputy has raised the cost of the service in the context of discussions on a national minimum wage. As he is aware discussions are taking place under the aegis of the National Minimum Wage Commission. The commission has not yet reported to Government and therefore it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of such deliberations. The application of an increase as the Deputy has outlined would have a very significant impact on the costs of the service as currently provided, would have implications for the operation of the service and would have to be considered in the overall context of the care of older people. It would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the review of the home help service currently being undertaken; or to make provision for increases of this order in the 1998 Estimates. I have sought increased funding in relation to the general provision of care for older people, through a variety of services and I expect that some of the additional funding will be directed to the home help service.
