Vol. 561 No. 1
366 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the long delays in processing applications for enhanced subvention by the Southern Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3165/03]
As the Deputy is aware, sections 22.3 and 22.4 of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993 allow health boards the discretion to contract beds in private nursing homes and to pay more than the maximum rates of subvention in such cases. However, the application of these provisions is a matter for each health board in the context of meeting the requirements of the subvention scheme 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. I am aware that there are currently over 500 people waiting for assessment for enhanced subvention in the Southern Health Board. In recognition of the particular difficulties being experienced with the operation of the scheme in the Southern Health Board area, my Department made significant additional resources of over €4.24 million available to the board in 2002 to respond to extra pressures on the scheme. A further €1 million was made available this year. It is my Department's intention to remain in contact with the Southern Health Board to ensure that any difficulties in relation to the operation of the nursing home subvention scheme are minimised.
