A series of expenditure reviews on various Government programmes are being undertaken by the Department of Finance in association with the relevant Departments. The aims of the review process are: to provide a systematic analysis of what is actually being achieved by expenditure in each programme; and to provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made on priorities within and between programmes.
An expenditure review on the nursing home subvention scheme commenced in March, 2000 and is scheduled to be completed by December, 2000.
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.