§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many past recipients of home help services have been denied home help services in the past year; and how many of these have been informed of their social security entitlement to benefit for this purpose.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I am, however, aware that the Department of Health and Social Services issued new guidelines earlier this year on entitlement to the home help service. These are being issued in some units of management to reassess individual's need for home help to ensure that the continuing high volume of services is targeted at those most in need.