Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if persons (details supplied) will be assisted. [2006/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 (HSE) under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my 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.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 434: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will request the Health Service Executive to expedite the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in seeking domiciliary allowance and adequate supports, including appropriate education and training and the immediate allocation of a social worker to this case. [2019/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my 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.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the chronic shortage of funding for the Home Help Service and the length of the waiting lists for this essential service affecting the elderly and most vulnerable in society; her plans to address the shortage of funding to this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2027/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Over the last three years, the Government has funded the largest ever expansion in services for older people with €540 million being provided to ensure that older people receive as much care as possible in their homes; that high standards are set and enforced in all residential care settings; and that the cost of residential care is always affordable and never an anxiety.

In this context, and in order to address increasing demands in the specific area of Home Helps, approximately €56 million additional funding has been provided for service over the three years 2006-8 inclusive. This has enabled the provision of 11.3 million Home Help hours by the Health Service Executive in 2006 and 11.7 million hours in 2007.

Budget 2008 provided significant additional current funding of €344 million to cover a range of priorities in the health sector, including a priority funding package of €25 million being targeted this year at a range of new community-based initiatives for Older People. This includes a sum of €5 million for this year towards 200,000 extra Home Help hours and an expected 220 new clients to avail of an expanded "Meals on Wheels" service.

Bearing in mind all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the prioritised funding I have made available this year will assist the HSE in meeting increasing demands on its Home Help service. I will, of course, in conjunction with the HSE continue to keep the matter under review.