The second schedule of the Nursing Homes (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 is 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. Section 7 of the second schedule of the regulations states that "a health board may consider any asset of the person in respect of whom a subvention has been sought as a source of funding for nursing home care." 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.
Section 8 of the Second Schedule of the regulations provides that a health board may take the value of specified assets into account, including interest in land, house property, stocks, shares or securities. Furthermore, Section 21 of the Second Schedule of the regulations provides that a health board may refuse to pay a subvention to a person if the value of his or her assets, excluding the principal residence, exceeds £20,000, €25,395.
I am satisfied that in the case mentioned by the Deputy, in assessing the applicant's means for the purposes of subvention, the health board acted in accordance with the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, 1993. My Department is currently examining a number of aspects of the nursing home regulations including a review of the value placed on assets for the purposes of assessing means.
