Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

85 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if, regarding the recent Ombudsman report, he will give the total amount repaid to date in respect of those nursing home residents who had one-fifth of their non-contributory old age pension retained; when repayments will begin to those families who were improperly required to make payments towards dependent relatives; the steps being taken to alert those affected that they may be entitled to repayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19206/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The report of the Ombudsman into the nursing home subvention scheme identified a number of issues relating to the operation of the 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 and 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 by applicants of one-fifth of the rate of non-contributory old age pension for personal use to be refunded speedily. I am advised by the six health boards concerned that the amounts repaid are as follows:

	£
Midland Health Board	148,378
Mid-Western Health Board	251,681
North-Western Health Board	266,358
South-Eastern Health Board	373,416
Southern Health Board	246,839
Western Health Board	218,751.98
Total paid to date	1,505,423.98

Where payments are still outstanding, the boards involved have been instructed to make the necessary arrangements to complete these payments as a matter of urgency.

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 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 Auth ority has been established to ensure that this process is carried out on a uniform basis as speedily as possible. As soon as this group has issued its recommendations as to how this issue should be progressed, all boards will be advised accordingly. However, as you can appreciate, the issue of making payments 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.