How many local authorities have local outcome agreements to monitor respite care services and when the local authorities that do not have s…

Following the report of theRoyal Commission on Long Term Care, extra resources were provided to localauthorities, which rose to £48 million in 2003-04. £11 million of this is toincrease the provision of short break respite care across the range ofCommunity Care services. Local authorities have prepared draft Local OutcomeAgreements on the use of the extra resources. The Executive is currentlyworking with authorities on their draft agreements and hope to conclude theseby the end of this year. From the draft agreements received it is clear thatmany authorities are significantly increasing respite provision. Both thevolume and range of respite services are expanding. The arrangements are intendedto apply to the full range of needs for respite care. It will be for localauthorities to determine their priorities for a respite service, in the sameway as for social care services generally.