Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 325: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on an application for the enhanced nursing home subvention by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5513/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 326: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for the nursing home subvention by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5514/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 327: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans regarding people in County Mayo who do not have access to the winter initiative scheme; if the scheme is being used in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5548/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 328: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the counties which are currently availing of the winter initiative scheme. [5549/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 329: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount which was provided in 2005 for the winter initiative scheme. [5550/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 330: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the winter initiative scheme is not being used in County Mayo. [5551/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children what the winter initiative scheme is; when same was introduced; the way in which it operates, its yearly cost to date in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5552/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 to 331, inclusive, together.

The winter initiative was an investment package introduced in 2000, which was designed to relieve some of the pressures experienced by accident and emergency departments. This investment package was designed to fund additional nursing home places for patients who were occupying acute hospital beds, the recruitment of additional emergency medicine consultants, aids and appliances for older people and the development of medical assessment and minor injury units at emergency departments in the eastern region.

The additional funding provided under the winter initiative was allocated to health boards and the additional services outlined above were put in place. The funding is now part of the Health Services Executive's expenditure estimate for 2006. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to reply directly to the Deputy.