Seán Power
Ceist:156 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider carrying out an independent needs assessment of carers throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14464/01]
Written Answers. - Carers' Needs Assessment.
Following a number of meetings of the working group on needs assessment for carers and care recipients, it was decided to establish a pilot project with the objective of developing a practical instrument which would enable the needs of carers and persons being cared for to be assessed. The pilot project, which was undertaken by the Western Health Board in the Mayo community area, has been completed. It resulted in the devising of a draft standard procedure which could be used by public health nurses and other health professionals to assess the needs requirements of carers and their care recipients.
Following the completion of the pilot project I provided additional resources to the Western Health Board to support the care needs of those people who participated in the project. The wider application of the needs assessment procedure piloted in this project, together with the cost implications which arise, are being considered by my Department and a decision will be made in the context of the health service needs of older people.