New South Wales, Australia
— A $9.8 million funding boost to Home and
Community Care services will help deliver an extra 91,000
meals, over 73,000 hours of personal care and 153,000
hours of centre-based day care to older New South Wales
residents and younger people with disabilities.
These extra services are amongst
many other New South Wales projects to receive support
under this increased funding for the Home and Community
Care program.
The Australian Government Minister
for Ageing, Julie Bishop, and the New South Wales
Minister for Ageing, Disability and Community Services,
Carmel Tebbutt, today announced the joint Australian and
state government funding would support 209 Home and
Community Care services in the state.
"This funding is part of the $32
million funding boost announced in December last year,
taking total funding for Home and Community Care services
in New South Wales to more that $382 million this
financial year - an increase of more than nine per cent
over last year," Ms Bishop said.
"By providing home-based services
such as Meals on Wheels and respite care, we are helping
more New South Wales residents to maintain their
independence and live in their own homes and communities
for as long as possible."
Ms Tebbutt said that the funding
would provide much needed services in an area of large
and growing demand.
"The additional Home and Community
Care funds will make many vital services available where
they are most needed, in a way that delivers value for
money," Ms Tebbutt said.
"This will ensure the services
benefit as many people as possible."
The Australian Government has
contributed almost $229 million and the New South Wales
Government will provide more than $153 million for Home
and Community Care services in 2003-04. Across the
country the Australian Government will contribute $732.4
million to the services this financial year. As all state
and territory governments have agreed to match the
Australian Government's offer, a total of $1.2 billion
will be available nationally.
Media contacts:
Rachael Thompson (Ms Bishop) 02 6277 7280 or 0417 265
289
Brian Manning (Ms Tebbutt) 02 9228 5360
