Vol. 553 No. 4
117 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the decision of the Midland Health Board not to grant subvention in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny based on this person's savings; his views on whether the regulations in this area are out of date and need to be reviewed as they date back to 1993-94; and if this person's overall circumstances can be re-examined. [14271/02]
The second schedule of 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 part of an overall review of the nursing home scheme, my Department is currently examining a number of aspects of the nursing home regulations. This includes a review of the value placed on the savings and assets of each applicant when calculating his or her means.
In relation to the particular case raised by the Deputy, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the Midland Health Board to examine this case and respond directly to the Deputy, as a matter of urgency.
