Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - Health Board Allowances.

John McGuinness

Question:

97 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if the maximum subvention payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the maximum allowance available from the South Eastern Health Board; and if the amount is the same level of support in each of the other health boards. [2962/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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 –€114.28, €152.37, €190.46 – in accordance with three levels of dependency – medium, high, maximum – which are eligible for subvention.

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. Determining the amount to be paid is a matter for each health board as the regulations do not provide for a maximum amount. However, the application of these pro visions 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.

In relation to the particular case raised by the Deputy, as responsibility for the provision of health services in the Kilkenny area rests with the South Eastern Health Board, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to have the matter investigated and respond directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.