Richard Bruton
Question:276 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans in 2002 to increase the guideline subventions for nursing home subvention or to amend the means test; and the planned changes. [30990/01]
Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.
The Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, are administered by the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. There are currently three maximum rates of subvention payable – £90 – 114.28, £120 – 152.37, £150 – 190.46 – in accordance with three levels of dependency, namely, medium, high and maximum, which are eligible for subvention. The new rates represent a 25% increase, and were introduced on 1 April 2001. Any decision to further increase rates will be considered in the context of the ongoing discussions on funding for the health services in the coming year.
The Second Schedule to the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, sets out the general rules for the assessment of means in respect of an application for a nursing home subvention. "Means" for the purposes of these regulations are the income and the imputed value of assets of a person in respect of whom a subvention is being sought and the income and imputed income of his or her spouse. Means are assessed for this scheme to ensure that the available funding is directed at those older people who have the greatest need of financial assistance. As the Deputy will be aware, in line with a Government decision, an expenditure review of the nursing home subvention scheme has been undertaken by my Department in association with the Department of Finance. As indicated in the national health strategy, the nursing home subvention scheme will be amended in line with the principle outlined in the expenditure review and proposals in relation to this will be brought forward in due course.