Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
222 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will investigate the cutback in budgetary allocation to an organisation (details supplied) which has received a reduction of 5% for 2004 and has not had an increase since 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7199/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in Dublin 6W is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South Western Area Health Board acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. The SWAHB is obliged by legislation to organise its activity in line with the available funding and as a result to adjust that activity where necessary to reach a level that can be sustained.
It should be noted that the number of home help hours provided in Dublin south city in 2003 was 91,803 which was higher than the previous year. The board recognised the difficulties that the organisation involved was experiencing in 2003 and as a result did not reduce the grant allocated to this organisation.
The authority has received an additional allocation from my Department in 2004 amounting to €1.172 million for home help services and will allocate this funding to the three area boards for distribution to the various home help services. The level of funding to be made available to the organisation will be determined as part of this process.
