Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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97. To ask the Minister for Health if other funding supports are available through his Department, apart from the National Lottery funding, for groups that provide services to the elderly who may be isolated both physically and socially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46501/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Funding for such groups is by and large provided by the HSE rather than directly by the Department of Health. Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 provides that the HSE may give assistance to persons or bodies who provide a service similar or ancillary to what the HSE itself provides.

Agencies which provide services for older people receive approximately €110m per annum, and these include small social satellite services, day care centres, meals on wheels, home help and home care package providers, larger residential units, hospice facilities, advocacy groups etc. In 2013, this funding was spread over 1000 agencies and community based services providing a raft of services and activities throughout the country.