179 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Health and Children in respect of the home help service in County Mayo, Health Service Executive west; the number of home help hours allocated to each public health nurse area at the start of 2010; the numbers allocated following the recent review; if HSE west notified her of any change in the stated commitment of maintaining the same number of home help hours in 2010 at the level of 2009; the number of home help hours contracted out by HSE west in County Mayo to private providers in 2009 and 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43744/10]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.