Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will honour commitments made regarding home help support (details supplied); if she will ensure that this service receives full support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14125/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to human resource management issues within the Health Service Executive. As these are matters for the executive under the Health Act 2004, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have them investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

I recognise the valuable role of the home help service in enabling people, who might otherwise need to be cared for in institutional care, to remain at home where this is appropriate. I am aware that a high level group has been established, with representatives from the Health Service Executive and staff representatives from SIPTU and IMPACT, to address issues pertaining to the standardisation of home help services. The group held its first meeting on 23 March last and further meetings are scheduled.

An additional €33 million full year cost was allocated to the home help programme in budget 2006, €30 million of which will be for 2006 with the remaining €3 million in 2007, which will enable the Health Service Executive to provide an additional 1.75 million hours nationally in 2006. The additional resource will further enhance the service and facilitate the expressed wish of many more older people to continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible.

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 can remain in a respite care bed or if a suitable place can be found for them in view of the circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14127/06]

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.