Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.

Richard Bruton

Question:

353 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the estimate for the cost of nursing home subvention in 2002 has been based on changes in the value of the guideline payment at different levels of dependency; the deductible amount of income of the person which is disregarded in the means test; the value placed on a vacant home or on other assets of the person; the enhanced subvention which may be paid in hardship cases; and the values which have been used in each case in calculating the estimate. [29057/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The funding sought by my Department as part of the Estimates process includes an allocation to meet the full-year costs of the increase in subvention rates, which was payable from 1 April last. Further funding was also sought to meet the increased costs of the scheme as a result of the additional numbers seeking assistance under the scheme and the higher levels of dependency of recipients.

My Department is currently examining a number of aspects of the nursing home regulations, including a review of the value of the principal residence for the purposes of the exclusion clause and the value placed on assets generally. It is the intention to bring forward further proposals in relation to the development of this scheme in due course.