Vol. 546 No. 3
196 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Health and Children the means test which is used in relation to nursing home subventions; if the same formula is used in all health board areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31503/01]
The second schedule of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, sets out the general rules to be followed by health boards in assessing the means of an applicant 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 was undertaken by my Department in association with the Department of Finance. It is the intention to bring forward proposals in relation to whatever measures may be necessary arising from the expenditure review and experience gained from the operation of the scheme since its inception in 1993, including the changes outlined in the recently published national health strategy.
