Charges can be made under two sets of regulations in respect of long-stay or extended care. They can be made under the Institutional Assistance Regulations, 1965, and charges may also be made under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1976, as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 1987.
In deciding the amount to be contributed, health boards have regard to the person's individual circumstances. Allowance is made for any financial commitments the person may have and a reasonable amount is left to meet the person's personal needs. Charges may be waived if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the relevant health board, payment would cause undue hardship.
As this is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board, I have asked Mr. Donal O'Shea of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.