asked the Minister for Health the reason no subvention has been provided for St. Anne's nursing home, Cashel, County Tipperary; when this subvention will be provided as advised by the South Eastern Health Board; and the number of beds that will be subvented.
Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.
396.
St. Anne's Nursing Home, Cashel, County Tipperary, is but one of many such institutions in respect of which applications have in recent years, been made for the payment of subventions under section 54 of the Health Act, 1970. Because of the very difficult financial situation however health boards are unable to meet the extra expenditure which approval of additional homes would involve and consequential approval of such homes has had to be deferred for the present.
397.
asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that all future subventions to nursing homes will be granted only to nursing homes which have been visited and recommended for subvention by the visiting committees of the health boards; whether he has any plans in relation to the setting up of certain criteria for future subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Standards in respect of private nursing homes are laid down in the Homes for Incapacitated Persons Regulations of 1966. I am examining these regulations at the moment with a view to their appropriate revision. The establishment of certain criteria for the payment of subventions by health boards in respect of patients in private nursing homes will be considered in the light of this review.