Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 7

Written Answers. - Health Board Services.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

201 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a fixed charge for long stay patients who are pensioners, in district hospitals and community old peoples homes in the Southern Health Board, Kerry region; and the way in which the charges are calculated. [15015/03]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for provision of health services in the Kerry area rests with the Southern Health Board.

The statutory authority to raise charges in geriatric hospitals and homes is governed by the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1954, as amended by the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1965 and the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) Regulations 1976, as amended by the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) 1987. These regulations allow health boards to provide institutional assistance – that is, shelter and maintenance – in a county home or other similar institution to older people who are in need of long-stay care. The Southern Health Board deems welfare homes, continuing care units and the majority of beds in its community hospitals to be within the term "similar institutions".

The Health (Charges for In-patient Services) Regulations 1976, as amended by the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) Amendment Regulations 1987 provide health boards with the statutory authority to charge for in-patient services where the person: has not full eligibility; has no dependents; and has been an in-patient for 30 days or for periods aggregating 30 days in the past 12 months. In accordance with these regulations, the Southern Health Board charges eligible patients 80% of their pension – income towards their maintenance costs. The balance of the patient's income is made available to them for their own comforts or is lodged to a person/patient property account for their exclusive use. In deciding the amount to be contributed, the board has regard to the person's circumstances, allowance is made of any outgoings, and a reasonable amount of the person's income is left for personal needs. Where a person has dependants the charges do not apply.