Vol. 510 No. 5
173 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the submissions, if any, he has received from the Kildare Carers' Association; if he will respond favourably to the various requirements in respect of long and short-term care, residential and other support for carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/99]
I have received no direct submissions from the Kildare Carers Association. However, the Deputy can be assured that the support for carers is one of my top priorities in relation to services for people with disabilities and services for older people. In services for people with an intellectual disability, I have put in place a capital programme in place which, beginning in 1998, will run over a four year period and, among other things, will provide new residential, respite and day care facilities. Since coming into office I have provided an additional £38.162 million for people with physical and sensory disabilities which has provided additional residential, respite, day care and home support services.
On services for older people a sum of £7 million additional revenue was provided in 1998 for the expansion of community services in order to improve support for older people in their homes. A further £1 million was allocated to the health boards in 1999 to support carers in a flexible manner on local needs and a further £800,000 was allocated to the boards for the recruitment of additional paramedical and nursing staff to be assigned to home care of older people.
The Deputy will be aware also of the substantial package of improvements in the carer's allowance, worth £18 million, put in place in the 1998 budget by my colleague the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs.
