Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 1

Written Answers. - Care of the Elderly.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

278 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether the current rate of payment for boarding out is adequate to keep an elderly person in the comfort of a home environment; his further views on whether the person providing this service can be expected to keep boarders at the current rate of £40 per week in view of the increased costs of living and the continuing rise in inflation; and if he will give a commitment to pay at least £80 per week per person to families who operate this system. [18915/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Under the boarding out scheme, older people who cannot live in their own home or find accommodation with relatives, can be boarded out by the health board in family homes. Boarding out differs from welfare, nursing or long-term provision in that the accommodation is provided for a client of a health board by a private owner who has entered into an agreement with the health board to provide accommodation and allied services on an agreed basis.

Article 17.1 of the boarding out regulations provides for the payment by the health board of a payment not exceeding half the weekly rate of the old age non-contributory pension to the householder in respect of each person being boarded out. In addition, Article 17.2 stipulates that the person being boarded out shall pay a sum to the householder as may be agreed by the health board, the householder and the person being boarded out.

I accept that the current maximum contribution payable by a health board should be reviewed in the light of current costs and I am arranging for a number of options to be considered in this context.

Question No. 279 answered with Question No. 230.