I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 75, 125, 130 and 168 together.
The purpose of the subvention scheme provided for by the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, is to ensure that dependent persons most in need of nursing home care will have access to such care. From 1 September 1993, the time the Act was commenced, to 31 August 1994, 7,019 applications had been received by health boards for a nursing home subvention. Of this total, 3,136 have been approved. Of the remaining applications, 1,422 have been refused and the balance are either being processed or have been withdrawn.
The breakdown of applications by health board is given in the table which follows.
Figures in relation to the number of additional persons to benefit under the new arrangements will not be available until the end of the year.