Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 5

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.

Bernard Allen

Question:

97 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason an application made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork for a nursing home subvention has been refused; the reason this person's family is still obliged to pay ?500 per month to supplement her pension towards the cost of the nursing home monthly fee; the reason this person's niece is now facing a demand for ?6,000 arrears from the nursing home and has been threatened with court action; and if the health board will consider transferring this person from her present nursing home to a health board nursing home to eliminate the hardship to her non-immediate family. [13216/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Callely)

As the Deputy may be aware, the provision of nursing home subventions in the Cork area is a matter for the Southern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him as a matter of urgency.