Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nursing Care Facilities.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

213 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department will provide financial assistance to an 80 year old suffering from alzheimers whose nursing home care costs £21,000 per annum in view of the fact that his pension of £26,000 per annum rules him out for a subvention and the person's wife is therefore suffering extreme hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23419/97]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of nursing care facilities for older people in the Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow areas is a matter for the Eastern Health Board.

I have asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board to investigate this case as a matter of urgency and respond directly to the Deputy with the board's findings.