It has been a long-standing principle that people receiving residential care would contribute to the cost through a charge or contribution, based on their means, if any. As we are aware, inpatient long-stay charges which were levied up to 2004 under regulations from 1954 and 1976 were deemed to not have a legal basis. A repayment scheme was established in 2006 and the scope of the scheme, as set out in the Act establishing it, was specifically limited to inpatient charges levied under these regulations.
I understand that the Deputy's question relates to contributions towards household charges in residential care facilities. As these contributions were not inpatient charges raised under the regulations, they did not come under the definition of recoverable charges under the scheme. I am aware that repayments were made under the scheme in respect of residents in a small number of disability institutions following a decision of the independent appeals officer, based on the specific circumstances of these cases.
It is a complex matter and there is further examination. The work is being comprehended within a broader examination of matters recently raised.