Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Board Allowances.

Liz McManus

Question:

421 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the East Coast Area Health Board has retained 100% of the ?10 old age pension increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11491/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I presume the Deputy is referring to charges for long-stay accommodation in health board long-stay homes. Charges can be made under two sets of regulations in respect of long-stay care. They can 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. These regulations enable charges to be made towards the cost of providing hospital in-patient services for persons with income who have been in receipt of such services for more than 30 days or for periods totalling more than 30 days within the previous 12 months. The regulations provide that a charge is made at a rate not exceeding the person's income. Medical card holders and persons with dependants are exempt from these charges.

Charges may also be made under the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1965 where the patient receives "shelter and maintenance" rather than treatment. These charges apply from the date of admission and are payable by all patients who are in receipt of incomes, including medical card holders and persons with dependants. 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 appropriate health board, payment would cause undue hardship. I have asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.