Mary Flaherty
Question:65 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, there are to increase the amount of subventions for persons in nursing homes. [22331/96]
Written Answers. - Nursing Homes Subventions.
Limerick East): The Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 which came into effect on 1 September 1993 has two principal objectives. First, to ensure high standards of accommodation and care in all registered nursing homes registered by health boards under the Act, and, second, to provide a new system of nursing home subvention so that dependent persons most in need of nursing home care would have access to such care.
With regard to the current levels of subvention payable, it must be stressed that a nursing home subvention is not intended to meet the full cost of the nursing home care for those who cannot do so from their own resources. I am aware that there are certain difficulties being encountered by some providers and persons seeking nursing home care. I will continue to endeavour to address these problems, and the issue of increasing the subvention rates, within the resources available to me.