Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jul 1993

Vol. 433 No. 3

Written Answers. - Geriatric Hospitals Waiting Lists.

Michael Bell

Question:

71 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the waiting list for geriatric hospitals in the Borough of Drogheda, Mid-Louth and the Borough of the Urban District Council of Dundalk; if he will give details of the length of time that male and female patients, by area, are on the waiting list; if the applicants in each area are entitled to apply for and be granted subvention under the Nursing Homes Act and the £4 million allocation made by him to the health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The North Eastern Health Board is responsible for the provision of long-stay accommodation for the elderly in Drogheda, mid-Louth and Dundalk areas. The number on the waiting list for extended care in each area is as follows:

Dundalk and Mid-Louth Area

No. of Patients (Female) 8	Length on Waiting List
5	5 weeks
2	3 weeks
1	7 weeks
No. of Patients (Male) 5
1	12 weeks
1	3 weeks
3	5 weeks

Drogheda Area

No. of Patients (Female) 8	Length on Waiting List
3	2 weeks
4	4 weeks
1	8 weeks
No. of Patients (Male) 5
1	20 weeks
2	12 weeks
2	8 weeks

When the provisions of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 are commenced later this year, persons requiring nursing home care may apply to a health board for a subvention towards the nursing home fees. It will be a matter for the health board to decide whether an applicant qualifies for a subvention following an assessment of the person's level of dependency and his or her means and circumstances. Health boards have not yet been allocated funding for subventions under the Act.