Vol. 491 No. 3
270 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children his response to the submission (details supplied) from Crosscare detailing measures necessary to achieve an effective community care service by the provision of special allowances and backup support for carers. [11692/98]
292 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the recommendations from the Crosscare carer convention held on 4 April 1998 as they apply to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11923/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 292 together. The current policy adopted by the health services in relation to the care of older people as outlined in the Department's 1988 publication, The Years Ahead, is to maintain older people in dignity and independence at home with the support of the community care services where necessary and when this is no longer possible, to ensure they have access to the best possible medical or long-term care. The National Council on Ageing and Older People, the statutory advisory group set up to advise the Government on all matters affecting older people, recently published a comprehensive review of how this policy is being implemented. The review identified a number of areas where the level of services currently being provided were less than adequate, including care in the home.
There is clearly a need to improve the level of services provided to older people in the home by nurses, nursing attendants, home helps and by a range of paramedical staff such as physiotherapists and speech therapists. In addition, carers of older people need to be better supported and respite and day care facilities need to be expanded. I am endeavouring to boost these services as resources permit and, in this regard, the financial allocations to health boards for 1998 made provision for the opening of additional respite and day care facilities and the employment of additional paramedical and nursing staff to support older people in their homes.
The provision of respite beds is a vital part of the support services for carers. Respite beds are now provided as an integral part of all new extended care facilities being constructed by health boards. Priority has also been given in 1998 to develop specialist mental health services for older people, which was one of the short-comings identified by the council.
I should also say that a full review of the home help scheme by a team of independent researchers will be completed this summer. When I have received the report, I will be in a better position to consider how best to bring about improvements in the overall organisation and development of the home help scheme. In relation to services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, the overall thrust of policy is to provide the necessary supports to enable them to live in the community with the maximum degree of independence possible for each individual. This year, additional resources have been provided for the development of services such as respite care, day care and home supports, including personal assistants.
