Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 5

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

189 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to increase the subvention for nursing homes; and the further plans, if any, he has to change to means guidelines for nursing home subventions. [14169/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt):

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 and £120 in accordance with three levels of dependency, medium, high and maximum. The amount of funding allocated to supporting older people in private nursing homes has been significantly increased by this Government in recent years. For example, over £5 million in additional funding has been allocated in the current year to provide for an 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 £38.4 million.

The Government's priority this year is to ensure that health boards have adequate resources to meet increasing demands on the scheme. I am keeping under review the scope that exists for effecting further improvements in terms of the scheme. Any increase in the rates of subvention will depend on the availability of resources and will take cognisance of the need for further improvements in services for older people.

My Department is currently reviewing the Second Schedule of the Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, which sets out the general rules for the assessment of means in respect of an application for a nursing home subvention. This review will examine the specific monetary values set out in these regulations which date back to 1993, when the regulations came into operation.