Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 1

Written Answers. - Community Care.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

288 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to recent parliamentary questions, he will request from (i) the North-Western Health Board, the number of registered nursing homes in their Health Board area in 2001; (ii) the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the number of recipients, over 65, of home help services, in their health board area from 1996-2000; (iii) the Mid-Western Health Board, the number of recipients, over 65, of home help services, in their health board area from 1996-2000; (iv) the Mid-Western Health Board, their health board expenditure on institutional care compared with expenditure on community care, from 1995-2000; (v) the North-Eastern Health Board, their health board expenditure on institutional care compared with expenditure on community care, from 1995-2000; and the Western Health Board, their health board expenditure on institutional care compared with expenditure on community care, from 1995-2000. [20026/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

In relation to part one of the Deputy's question, I am advised by the North-Western Health Board that the number of private nursing homes registered under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 is 14 with one currently being re-registered.

In relation to the number of recipients of home help services, I understand that the Eastern Regional Health Authority is in the process of compiling the required figures and I have asked for them to be sent to me as a matter of urgency. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is received in my Department.

In relation to the third and fourth parts of the question, I understand that the Mid-Western Health Board has recently replied directly to the Deputy.

In relation to the question on North-Eastern Health Board expenditure, I understand from the board that the information sought was forwarded to the Deputy. However, as it appears that the information has not been received, I have arranged for it to be forwarded to the Deputy under separate cover.

Regarding Western Health Board expenditure on institutional care as compared to expenditure on community care, set out below are details of expenditure on nursing home subventions and on institutional care. The board is currently researching costs in respect of care in the community and these will be forwarded to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Western Health Board expenditure 1994 to 2000

	2000£000	1999£000	1998£000	1997£000	1996£000	1995£000	1994£000
Nursing Home Subventions	5,985	5,659	4,434	4,004	3,146	2,432	2,111
Institutional Care:
Community Hospitals	5,402	4,674	4,171	3,814	3,444	3,283	3,171
Long-stay Hospitals	12,029	10,966	9,170	8,504	7,740	7,486	6,736
Nursing Units	7,630	7,598	6,226	4,273	3,607	3,312	3,180
Total	25,061	23,238	19,567	16,591	14,791	14,081	13,087