Gay Mitchell
Question:154 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is entitled to any payment from his mother's old age pension in view of the fact he manages the home. [15894/99]
Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
I have made inquiries of the Eastern Health Board concerning the situation referred to by the Deputy as the mother of the person in question resides in a home for older persons operated by the board.
When a patient is admitted to one of the board's hospitals or homes for older persons, a financial assessment is carried out to ascertain what financial contribution they can make toward the cost of their care. In arriving at this figure, cognisance is taken of the personal needs of the individual patient and other financial outgoings the patient may have, such as mortgage, insurance policies etc.
As a result of this financial assessment an amount of money is retained by the patient for their personal use or may be lodged in the patient's private property account if this is their wish. The patient in this particular case has an amount of money deposited in her private property account each week, which she can withdraw as she sees fit for her own personal use.