Vol. 543 No. 3
114 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department will fund the £700,000 approximately per annum to the South Eastern Health Board for the provision of incontinence wear to medical card holders in private nursing homes; and if assessment of the application for funding is now complete. [27085/01]
137 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children when he intends to provide funding to the health boards to implement the supply of incontinence wear to medical card holders in nursing homes. [27239/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 137 together.
The costs of this service development are being finalised at present.
There are logistical implications for the boards in implementing the new arrangements, including assessment and distribution issues. However, I have asked the health boards and the Eastern Regional Authority to put the necessary arrangements in place. In the meantime, incontinence wear should still be supplied by private nursing home owners as provided for in Article 16.1 of the Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations, 1993.
