asked the Minister for Health whether health boards have a duty to contribute towards the cost in approved private nursing homes of geriatric patients in need of such care, in accordance with the scale of payments set out in Booklet SW 19 published by the Department of Social Welfare; and, if so, the reason such contribution has not been provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is 86 years old and medically certified to be in need of continuous nursing care.
Written Answers. - Payments to Private Nursing Homes.
65.
Under section 54 of the Health Act, 1970, health boards are empowered to make payments to private nursing homes approved by the Minister for Health for the accommodation of elderly patients. The person referred to by the Deputy is being cared for in a private nursing home which is not approved by the Minister for Health for payments under section 54 of the Health Act, 1970.