Vol. 513 No. 6
309 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that health boards, when determining eligibility for subvention under nursing homes legislation, are placing a financial value on the principal residence of the applicant; if he has satisfied himself that this is in accordance with the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3388/00]
Under the terms of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, a health board may consider any asset, including house property, of the person in respect of whom a subvention has been sought as a source of funding for nursing home care, subject to certain exceptions. For example a health board is obliged to disregard the principal residence in the assessment of a person's means if it is occupied immediately prior to or at the time of the application and continues to be occupied by a spouse, a son or daughter aged less than 21 years or in full time education or a relative in receipt of disability allowances or pension or who is in receipt of an old age non contributory pension. Subject to the above, a health board may impute an annual income equivalent to 5% of the estimated market value of the principal residence of the person, net of mortgage, loan, rental or purchase repayments existing prior to or at the time of the application. I am satisfied that these provisions are applicable under the terms of nursing home legislation.
