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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 1

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subvention.

Dan Neville

Question:

167 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to increase the level of nursing home subvention resulting from increases introduced in nursing homes on foot of the recent increases to nurses. [25592/99]

As I advised the Deputy in my response of 18 November last, under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, the health boards provide subventions to assist persons in meeting the costs of nursing home care; however, it was never intended that subventions would meet the full costs involved.

There are three rates of subvention payable, £70, £95, £120, in accordance with three levels of dependency, medium, high, maximum which are eligible for subvention. 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.
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