§ 32. Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he will take to prevent further cutbacks in the home help service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe level of resources devoted to particular services is a matter for Health and Social Services boards to determine. Northern Ireland provides the highest number of home helps per 1,000 population in the United Kingdom, and there has been no reduction in the level of funding for the home help service in 1989–90. There has however been increasing demand, and in order to avoid overspending, several boards have reassessed the need among individual clients for the number and extent of visits. In each case every effort has been made to minimise the effect on clients and to ensure that the service is targeted on those most in need.