How many community aged care packages (CAPs) have been allocated in the electoral division of Richmond during 2004-2005 and what proportion of the demand for these places have they met.

   (1)   Which organisations in the electoral division of Richmond received funding for the packages.

   (2)   How many CAPs have aged care providers in the electoral division of Richmond applied for in 2004-2005.

   (3)   How many CAPs have been allocated in the electoral division of McPherson.

   (4)   How many extended aged care at home (EACH) packages have been allocated in the electoral division of Richmond during 2004-2005 and what proportion of the demand for these places have they met.

   (5)   Which organisations in the electoral division of Richmond received funding for EACH packages.

   (6)   How many EACH packages have aged care providers in the electoral division of Richmond applied for in 2004-2005.

   (7)   How many EACH packages have been allocated in the electoral division of McPherson.

   (8)   Is she aware that there is a six to seven month waiting list for people living in the electoral division of Richmond to access CAPs or EACH packages.

Aged care planning is undertaken on the basis of Aged Care Planning Regions.

(1)   The electoral division of Richmond falls within the Far North Coast Aged Care Planning Region of New South Wales. The Far North Coast Aged Care Planning Region received an allocation of 35 Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) in 2004-2005. CACP and other aged care places are allocated through a comprehensive planning framework. Each year the Australian Government makes additional places available based on population projections and the current level of aged care provided, compared to the new planning ratio of 20 community places per 1,000 people aged 70 or more. This ratio was increased in the 2004-2005 Budget from 10 to 20.

(2)   Approved providers receiving an additional CACP allocation in the Far North Coast Aged Care Planning Region in 2004-2005 were: Clarence Valley Council; The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Lismore; and The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Queensland). Approved providers receiving ongoing funding for CACP in the Far North Coast Aged Care Planning Region are: The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Lismore Clarence Valley Council United Protestant Association of NSW Limited The Churches of Christ Property Trust Feros Care Limited Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) Inc The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) Canowindra Tweed-Byron Aged and Disabled Aboriginal Corporation The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Queensland) Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council Ex-Services Community Care Pty Ltd

(3)   Seventeen applicants.

(4)   The electoral division of McPherson lies within the South Coast Aged Care Planning Region of Queensland. At 31 December 2004 there were 509 CACP allocated in the South Coast Aged Care Planning Region. A further 30 CACP were allocated in the South Coast Aged Care Planning Region in 2004-2005.

(5)   The Far North Coast Aged Care Planning Region received an allocation of 15 EACH packages in 2004-2005. EACH places are counted as part of the 20 community places per 1,000 people aged 70 or more.

(6)   The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Queensland) was allocated 10 EACH packages and the Clarence Valley Council was allocated 5 EACH packages in 2004-2005. Approved providers receiving ongoing funding for EACH packages in the Far North Coast Aged Care Planning Region are: The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Lismore Ex-Services Community Care Pty Ltd

(7)   Eight applicants.

(8)   At 31 December 2004 there were 20 EACH packages allocated in the South Coast Aged Care Planning Region. An additional 15 EACH packages were allocated in the South Coast Aged Care Planning Region in 2004-2005.

(9)   The Department of Health and Ageing does not keep data on waiting lists. The existence of waiting lists is not regarded as a reliable indicator of unmet demand. Many people put their names on several waiting lists and it is not uncommon for people who have been offered a place to refuse it.