HC Deb 25 November 2002 vol 395 cc24-5W
Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce free personal care for pensioners in Northern Ireland. [83120]

Mr. Browne

The Inter-Departmental Group's Report on Free Personal Care was forwarded to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on Thursday 8 August 2002. Following discussion at the Executive on 12 August 2002, Ministers asked for further work to be undertaken. That work has not yet been completed. In any event, it is not possible at this stage to give any indication about plans to introduce free personal care here, since this is a matter that should be determined by the Executive.