Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 2

Written Answers - Nursing Home Subventions.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

166 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will outline in respect of each health board area, in the years 1995-2001, the subventions to nursing homes in each area; and his estimate of the future costs of this subvention based on population trends and health needs. [12539/01]

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

The funding provided to date by my Department to meet the costs of the nursing home subvention scheme is as set out in the following table:

Health Board	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
ERHA	6,475,400	6,475,400	8,930,400	8,930,400	11,047,400	12,061,400	14,323,400
MHB	743,200	743,200	1,624,200	1,324,200	1,789,200	2,019,200	2,397,200
MWHB	1,404,100	1,404,100	3,017,100	2,067,100	3,217,100	3,988,100	4,736,100
NEHB	1,215,600	1,515,600	1,975,600	1,975,600	2,992,600	3,267,600	3,879,600
NWHB	467,500	817,500	2,167,500	1,337,500	2,443,500	2,809,500	3,336,500
SEHB	1,226,200	1,226,200	2,461,200	1,851,200	2,801,200	3,502,200	4,158,200
SHB	1,715,900	2,083,900	3,673,900	3,113,900	4,888,900	5,853,900	6,951,900
WHB	1,987,100	2,618,100	3,999,100	3,249,100	3,999,100	4,977,100	5,910,100
Total	15,235,000	16,884,000	27,849,000	23,849,000	33,179,000	38,479,000	45,693,000

As the Deputy is aware, the issues relating to the nursing home subvention scheme raised in the report by the Ombudsman are currently being examined in my Department. It is my intention to bring proposals to Government in relation to whatever additional measures may be necessary arising from the Ombudsman's report and the expenditure review of the subvention scheme, together with experience gained from the operation of the scheme since its inception in 1993. In this regard, it would be premature to speculate on what the additional costs of the scheme might be.

However, this Government is aware of the implications for the provision of health services presented by the change in demographics. Since coming into office in 1997 this Government has allocated significant resources to services for older people, particularly health services, in an attempt to deal with this change and the resulting issues, which will emerge. Additional funding for the development of health services for older people has increased significantly from £10 million in 1997 to an additional £36 million in 2000, while in 2001 an additional £57.427 million will be provided.

A total of £2 billion has been made available by this Government for investment in the health services under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, which represents a trebling of investment compared to the previous seven year period. Of this £2 billion, approximately £200 million, will be available for the capital development of the full range of services for older people. A broad range of facilities will either be provided, replaced or upgraded as a result, including assessment and rehabilitation facilities, ambulatory care facilities, community hospitals, community nursing units, convalescent and respite beds, daycare centres and services for the elderly mentally infirm.