In relation to the announcement by the Commonwealth Government that a $360,000 respite house would be set up in the ACT for older people and veterans (Commonwealth Media Release, '$363,000 To Give Canberra's Carers A Break', 18 June 2003):

(1) Does the ACT Government have additional information about this proposed facility and if so, could as much detail as possible be provided in addition to the information requested below;

(2) As well as the initial $20,000 that the ACT Government will be contributing to the respite care facility, will the ACT Government be providing ongoing funding for this project via Carers ACT or otherwise, and if so, what is the forecast value of that funding (a) 2003/04 (b) 2004/05 (c) 2005/06;

(3) What date is the facility set to commence operations;

(4) Where will this respite care facility be located;

(5) How many respite care recipients will be expected to use the facility per week and what will be the frequency of use made available to each respite care recipient ie; how many hours care per week will be made available to each respite care recipient.

(1) The Commonwealth Government have been working with Carers ACT to develop a model of cottage and host family respite for carers of people with dementia. The Home from Home project is a 12 month pilot targeting carers of people with early stage dementia, younger people with dementia, and people from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. The program has been developed to provide more flexibility and choice in meeting the respite needs of carers. The project will offer flexible respite care in a small, cottage environment, and a small host family program.

A person with extensive experience and knowledge in the care and management of people with dementia, other disabilities, and frail aged, with be employed to coordinate the project.

(2) On 20 December 2002, Mr Jon Stanhope MLA announced that several respite care projects in the ACT were set to receive a share of $1 million from the 2002 - 03 Respite Care Budget Initiative. One of these projects identified funding of $20,000 towards the development of an innovative dementia respite service. The ACT Government has