Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: 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; the further reason a previous question in this regard was not replied to by the Health Service Executive; and when the persons will be notified of a decision in this case. [24418/06]

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. The Department has again 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 Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 183: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she expects the Health Service Executive to receive the report of the high level working group established to develop a standardised high quality home help service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24419/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The high level working group was established by the Health Service Executive with representatives from IMPACT and SIPTU with a view to establishing a standardised high quality home help service which will benefit both clientele and staff. The group has commenced a process based on the partnership model and its terms of reference are set out below for the Deputy's information.

A plan of work has been agreed by the parties in order to give effect to the agreed terms of reference. The high level group met on Wednesday 7 June 2006, to review progress and establish a number of subgroups to further progress tasks associated with the terms of reference. The overall aim is to establish a blueprint for the delivery of home help services going forward. It is anticipated that the bulk of the issues can be addressed within an overall six-month timeframe.

The terms of reference of the group are: To review existing models/structures of home help services to address issues pertaining to the standardisation of services to include inter alia:

1. The demands being placed on the services through the implementation of the home help agreement.

2. Outstanding issues pertaining to the implementation of the home help agreement.

3. Clarification on the nature of the service to be provided by home helps.

4. Explicit and agreed criteria for the assessment of need.

5. Standard criteria for entitlement.

6. Contractual service agreements with the voluntary organisations.

7. National guideline provisions for level of service provisions and the assessment of needs.

8. Recognition of the home help service as a service in its own right.

9. The role and status of home help organisers within this service.

10. The terms and conditions of home help organisers and other support staff employed by voluntary organisations.