Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 1

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

194 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Southern Health Board is the only health board not paying enhanced subvention to qualified recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29560/01]

Michael Creed

Question:

196 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children when funds will be sanctioned to the Southern Health Board in respect of enhanced subvention. [29577/01]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 196 together.

The Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, are administered by the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. A health board may pay more than the maximum rate of subvention relative to an individual's level of dependency, for example, in cases where personal funds are exhausted. Articles 22.3 and 22.4 of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, permit health boards to contract beds in private nursing homes and to pay more than the maximum rates of subvention in such cases. However, the application of these provisions is a matter for the individual health board concerned in the context of meeting increasing demands for subventions within the board's revenue allocation as notified annually in the letters of determination. This is in keeping with the provisions of the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act, 1996.

The Southern Health Board has received a significantly increased number of claims from patients for enhanced payments in accordance with Articles 22.3 and 22.4. It is a matter for the board to determine the extent to which it can meet such claims consistent with its requirement to live within its overall revenue allocation and taking account of the fact that such enhanced payments are discretionary. However, in the interest of avoiding hardship to individual patients, my Department has been in regular contact with the board in an effort to find a solution which would take cognisance of the considerations outlined above. A solution has been found to meet the most immediate individual problems and discussions are continuing in an effort to reach agreement on a more long-term approach to the issue. This solution involves the payment of enhanced subventions on quite a significant scale. I am, therefore, somewhat puzzled by the nature of the Deputies' questions.