Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the qualifying conditions which will apply in 2007 for the receipt of a home care package; the benefits which will be available under the scheme; the number of such packages for which provision has been made in Estimates 2007; and the way it is intended to publicise the eligibility conditions. [39691/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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An additional €55 million (full year cost) was allocated in Budget 2006 for the provision of home care packages. €30m of this additional funding was to provide 2,000 extra packages by the end of 2006. The HSE has advised that 3,095 extra packages were provided up to the end of September 2006. The remaining €25 million was included in the 2007 Estimates and the number of packages provided in 2007 will depend on the cost and make-up of such packages. It is not normal practice in the run-up to the Budget to comment on extra provision that may be made, if any, for home care packages or other services next year.

The remainder of the Deputy's question relates to operational issues, which are within the area of responsibility of the Health Service Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.