Vol. 573 No. 3
484 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reduction in hours and days of nursing home care provided to the elderly in 2003 compared with 2002 in each of the local health areas with regard to each health board. [25322/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of the home help service is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the health boards. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officers of the boards to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him, as a matter of urgency.
485 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of elderly people who have applied for home help and who are on a waiting list at present; the average time that they have been waiting; if this information can be provided in respect of all the health board areas throughout the country; and the way in which he proposes to deal with this waiting list. [25323/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of the home help service is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the health boards. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officers of the boards to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly, as a matter of urgency.
