Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on a home care package for persons (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this matter has been ongoing; and when this matter will be finalised. [21738/06]

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.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 203: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that the minorities here are getting a semblance of a health service in view of the fact that the life expectancy of Travellers is so low and the mortality rate so high; her views on whether inequality in relation to healthcare for the travelling community here has been addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21749/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Travellers' health status is a cause of concern and the provision of health services for Travellers has long been a matter of priority for my Department in partnership with the HSE. Additional funding of over €11m (which includes an additional €2m in 2006) has been allocated by my Department for Traveller health services since 1997. Structures have been put in place to ensure the effective delivery of services. Traveller Health Units operate in each HSE area and the units comprise of representatives from HSE management and Traveller representatives. These units work in partnership with local Traveller organisations and the Travelling community while at central policy level the Traveller Health Advisory Committee which comprises Department and HSE staff and representatives from the Traveller organisations advise me on policy in relation to Traveller health.

There has been no national study on Travellers health since 1987. My priority for 2006 is the commissioning of new research into the health status of Travellers which will provide a framework for policy development and practice in relation to this vulnerable group. The proposed Travellers All Ireland Health Study will be the first study of Travellers health status and health needs that involves all Travellers living in Ireland, North and South. It is jointly supported by my Department and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland. The purpose of the research will be to examine the health status of Travellers, to assess the impact of the health services currently being provided and to identify the factors which influence mortality and health status.