Written answers

Tuesday, 10 October 2006

Department of Health and Children

Health Services

9:00 pm

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason people applying for home care packages in County Mayo are being informed that there is not money available to provide this service; her views on whether this is scandalous in view of the comments made by her when introducing this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31980/06]

Photo of Seán PowerSeán 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.

With regard to the funding available for Home Care Packages, it should be noted that Budget 2006 provided an unprecedented increase in the level of funding for older peoples' services and palliative care. This investment allocated additional resources of €150 million in a full year to these services. (€110 million in 2006 and €40 million more for 2007). Reflecting the new emphasis on home and day care, almost three quarters (€109 million) of the full year costs was committed to community care supports. €55million full year cost was allocated to the provision of Home Care Packages with €30million allocated for 2006 and €25million for 2007. The objective is to provide an additional 2,000 Home Care Package by the end of 2006 and the HSE has informed my Department that it is on target to meet this goal.

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