Dick Spring
Question:94 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health the way in which the additional funding of £1 million provided for improvement of long stay facilities will be apportioned as between public and private facilites.
Written Answers. - Services for the Elderly.
The apportionment of the additional funding for services for the elderly announced in this year's budget will be a matter for each health board within priorities determined by me at national level. It is not possible at this stage to say how the funding will be apportioned between public and private facilities for the elderly.
One of my priorities for the development of services for the elderly is the implementation of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990. The implementation of the Act will provide more equitable arrangements for the subvention of patients in voluntary and private nursing homes. The drafting of regulations under the Act is at an advanced stage and I hope to commence the Act as soon as possible. The additional funding announced in the budget will assist with the implementation of the Act this year.