Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 2

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subvention Scheme.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

219 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children his Department's policy, if any, on the nursing home subvention scheme in relation to families in the south of Ireland having a parent or parents in nursing home care in Northern Ireland. [22975/97]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

The following is the text of paragraph 13.4 of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993.

"A health board may pay a subvention in respect of a person whom it has determined as qualifying for a subvention in a nursing home in Northern Ireland which is a nursing home registered by a health and social services board. "

What this, in effect, means is that if an elderly person living in, say County Leitrim, is approved for a subvention by the North-Western Health Board, he-she may use that subvention for care in a nursing home situated in Northern Ireland, provided that the home is registered with the Northern Ireland authorities. The converse of this is that a person normally resident in Northern Ireland who needs nursing home care, should apply to the Northern Ireland authorities for assistance.