I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me raise this issue. It is close to his heart, having been a former Minister for Health. It relates to subventions and the assessment of families living in the family home. In the case of a family member still resident there, the home is considered by the health board as available for renting. This clause must be dropped. It is causing much hardship to family members who require nursing home care.
Subvention is paid to those who need care under three headings: a minimum care sum of £95 per week, which was increased recently; a medium care sum of £120 per week; and a maximum care sum of £150 per week. Everybody welcomes the increases in the moneys because there had been no increases for seven or eight years.
The regulation states that a house belonging to an individual who might be applying for subvention, when a family member still lives there, is available for renting. It is unfair for the local health board to state that the house is available for renting and that there must to be an amount of money derived in this manner as income to go towards care.
Does the Minister not think this regulation is draconian, taking into consideration the recent decision of the Ombudsman, who said that family members are made pay unfairly, and that health boards are sorting out the backlog of applications for repayment of money? Is this not an example of flawed legislation?
I was in contact with the health board this morning. People who have applied for the refund of money, because of the health board regulations, will have no money available to them. No case will be dealt with until August this year. Three months ago, the Ombudsman made a recommendation and we are still awaiting results in this regard. The health board informed me that the Department of Health and Children is the culprit.
Will the Minister say if he is prepared to change the regulations? They are wrong in terms of determining people's income when family members are living in the family home, especially when one considers that the health board is stating, under the regulations introduced by the Department, that a house in the country, which it might not be possible to rent, has to be regarded as worth £80 per week and that this sum will lower the subvention.
I am sure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows exactly what I am saying, coming from a rural constituency like myself. The problem to which I am referring is serious and requires action on the part of the Department and the Minister. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is also from a rural constituency and knows what I am talking about. There is a serious problem that requires action from the Department to address it, not another report from the Ombudsman.