Vol. 533 No. 3
213 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the terms of reference of the review of nursing home subvention which he has established; the membership of the review group; the consultations that are being undertaken; the expected reporting date for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8964/01]
In line with a Government decision, an expenditure review of the nursing home subvention scheme is currently being undertaken by my Department in association with the Department of Finance and is expected to be completed shortly. 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.
The purpose of this review is to address the following issues: the operation of the nursing home subvention scheme and the extent to which current objectives are being met; the efficiency, effectiveness and equity implications of the current subvention scheme; the need and the likely future demand for private nursing home care; the supply of nursing home care in the future; the role of the nursing home sector in an integrated public-private care system; the role of the social economy in an integrated, community-based, long-stay care system; optimal funding arrangements for long-stay care; the major policy questions for the future.
