101 Mr. Morley asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he has taken or intends to take to ensure that payment to home help personnel is standardised throughout the eight health board areas in view of the fact that the present wide range of disparity in payment for these services seems to indicate that some health boards are more favourably funded than others. [24398/96]

162 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to standardise the rate of home help pay; the future plans, if any, he has to improve the rate of pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24702/96]

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 162 together.

The issue of payment for part-time home helps has been raised on a number of occasions in the recent past. In response to previous questions in the House I stated that the Department in consultations with the chief executive officers of the health boards has under active consideration a number of aspects of the home help scheme, including the overall organisation of the service and the diversity of arrangements which exist within the health boards for the provision of this service.

A discussion document submitted by the chief executive officers group formed the basis for this examination of the home help services. Following these discussions, the Department decided to have an examination of the operation of the home help services carried out by an independent body which will advise on how the services can be developed in a cost effective way in tandem with the other community based services. Tenders for this review have been received and a contract will be signed in January. It is expected that the review will be completed in three to four months.