HC Deb 21 March 1979 vol 964 cc666-7W
Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many personal aids were issued to elderly and handicapped people in Northern Ireland in each area health board in 1977 and 1978 respectively; and what rate this represented per 1,000 population in each year.

Mr. Carter

This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

The number of households provided with personal aids by the social service departments of health and social services boards during 1977 was as follows:

Health and Social Service Board Number of households Rate per 1,000 population
Eastern 2,927 4.40
Northern 1,558 4.30
Southern 226 0.84
Western 230 0.95
4,941 3.21
Figures for 1978 are not yet available.

These statistics do not include the number of households provided with personal aid by area boards community health service departments, and the figures do not therefore give an accurate picture of the total help being given.