Mary Coughlan
Question:279 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Health and Children the maximum subvention paid by each health board to elderly patients in private nursing homes. [8745/00]
Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.
There are three maximum rates of subvention payable – £70, £95, £120 – in accordance with three levels of dependency – medium, high, maximum – which are eligible for subvention. However, a health board may pay more than the maximum rate of subvention relative to an individual's level of dependency, for example in cases where personal funds are exhausted. Sections 22.3 and 22.4 of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, permits health boards to contract beds in private nursing homes and to pay more than the maximum rates of subvention in such cases. This is to facilitate health boards which do not have sufficient accommodation in their hospitals and homes to meet the needs of those requiring nursing care and which have traditionally relied on the nursing home sector to meet this need.