Additional funding of over €87 million made available in 2002 was allocated for the provision of the home help service; community support structures; support for carers; the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland; voluntary groups; improvements in staff ratios; improvements in the nursing home subvention scheme, and implementation of the new health strategy. Additional moneys were used for the improvement and enhancement of existing services. For example, additional funding was provided for community nursing units, day care centres, community services while a contribution was made towards improvements in home help pay and innovative approaches to the delivery of services for older people at local level.