Written Answers - Nursing Home Subventions.
Michael Finucane
Question:
343
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
when he will authorise the Mid-Western Health Board to pay arrears of nursing home subvention as far back as 1993 following his decision; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the board is awaiting further guidance from his Department on this matter.
[11964/01]
Michael Finucane
Question:
344
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the number of subvention cases which have been identified by the Mid-Western Health Board where arrears of subvention are due as a result of his decision to pay arrears as far back as 1993; and the total level of funding which is outstanding as a result of the health board's investigations.
[11965/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 344 together.
The report of the Ombudsman into the nursing home subvention scheme identified a number of issues relating to the operation of the nursing home subvention scheme. It is the intention of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, to bring proposals to Government in relation to whatever additional measures may be necessary arising from the Ombudsman's report, the expenditure review of the subvention scheme, together with experience gained from the operation of the scheme since its inception in 1993.
Our immediate priority is to ensure that the two aspects of the regulations that have the most direct impact on nursing home patients and their families are fully addressed without delay. Arrangements have already been made to enable nursing home patients and their families who may be due payments arising from the provisions in the regulations relating to the retention of one-fifth of the rate of non-contributory old age pension for personal use to be refunded speedily.
The provision which allowed for the assessment of the capacity of the adult sons and-or daughters of older people who applied for nursing home subventions to contribute towards the cost of their parents' nursing home care was deleted from the 1 January 1999. As the Deputy is aware, it has been decided that moneys should be paid to those who were adversely affected by this provision. It is anticipated that these payments will cost in the region of £6 million.
A group representing the Department and the health boards-Eastern Regional Health Authority has been established to ensure that this process is carried out on a uniform basis as speedily as possible. However, as the Deputy can appreciate, this will be a complex exercise involving,inter alia, difficult issues of traceability, and it may take some time to complete. Nevertheless, I can offer assurance that every effort will be made to make payments as quickly as possible.
In response to the Deputy's inquiry about the Mid-Western Health Board, I am advised by the board that, to date, approximately 300 cases have been identified as having been affected by the provision which allowed for the assessment of the capacity of adult sons and-or daughters to contribute to the cost of their parent's care. The board informs me that current estimates suggest that the cost of making payments to those adversely affected by this provision will be approximately £1.63 million.
