Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if additional funding has been allocated for home care help to the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9642/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, additional funding of €150 million was allocated to services for older people-palliative care in the 2006 budget. This is a full year cost, €110 million of which is for 2006 with the remaining €40 million for 2007. This is the largest ever increase in funding for services for older people and the package has a strong focus on community based supports. Of this investment, an extra €33 million — full year cost — was allocated to the home help service. Of this total, a sum of €30 million is provided for 2006 and will deliver approximately 1.75 million home help hours.