Vol. 543 No. 1
147 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the additional funding provided to date to each health board for the provision of incontinence wear to medical card patients in private nursing homes; the commence ment date of the scheme; the level of demand, cost and number of patients in each health board availing of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25736/01]
The costs of this service development are being finalised at present. Costs will depend on a number of factors including the level of demand and the number of patients in each health board availing of the scheme. I will write to the Deputy when the full information he has sought is available. There are logistical implications for the boards in implementing the new arrangements, including assessment and distribution issues. However, I have asked the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority to put the necessary arrangements in place. In the meantime, incontinence wear should still be supplied by private nursing home owners as provided for in Article 16.1 of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, 1993.
Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 71.
