Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Nursing Homes.

Dan Neville

Question:

148 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children when the rates for nursing home subvention were introduced; the value of these rates in present day values; and the plans, if any, he has to increase the current rates. [15879/99]

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

The payment of subvention is governed by the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, which came into effect on 1 September 1993, and regulations made under the Act.

There are three maximum levels of subvention payable, £70, £95, £120, in accordance with three levels of dependency, medium, high, maximum, which are eligible for subvention. If the rates were increased using the consumer price index to take account of inflation, the current rates would be £79.14, £107.40 and £135.66 respectively.

It had been hoped to increase the rates of subvention this year but it has not been possible to do so as substantial additional funding in excess of £9 million has had to be provided to meet the rising costs of the scheme. The additional expenditure is due to a number of factors such as the increase in the number of people in receipt of subventions, their higher levels of dependency, resulting in more people receiving the higher rates of subventions, and the change in the regulations whereby the ability of adult sons and/or daughters over 21 years of age to contribute is no longer taken into account. The amount made available for the scheme this year is £33 million. Any possible increase in the subvention rate next year will depend on budgetary circumstances and competing priorities at the time.