Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.

John McGuinness

Question:

145 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to previous parliamentary questions, outstanding subvention payments will be made immediately by the South-Eastern Health Board to the relatives of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in dealing with this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20534/01]

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

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, 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 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 can be appreciated, 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.

In relation to the particular case raised by the Deputy in his Parliamentary Question of 22 February last, that, as the provision of health services in the Kilkenny area is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board, I asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate and respond directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency. I understand that the board wrote to the Deputy on the 26 February outlining the position in relation to this particular case. As it appears from information provided by the board that the application for subvention in question was refused following an assessment of the capacity of adult sons and-or daughters to contribute to the cost of their parent's care, this case may be eligible to receive moneys on foot of the Minister's decision. I have asked the chief executive officer of the South-Eastern Health Board to contact the Deputy directly on this issue.