Vol. 489 No. 2
121 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to increase the maximum rate of nursing home subvention in order to meet the increased charges which now apply in nursing homes. [7708/98]
The subvention scheme established under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, provides assistance to those who have difficulty in meeting the full cost of nursing home fees. The scheme is not intended to meet in full the cost of private nursing home care. The question of an increase in the levels of subvention will be considered in the context of resources available to the health services.
Since coming to office, this Government has provided additional resources to health boards to increase the number of nursing home subventions and to provide more assistance to people who are experiencing difficulties in covering their nursing home fees.
