Seán Ryan
Question:64 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the review of the nursing home subvention scheme published on 25 June 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22536/03]
Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.
The review to which the Deputy refers was carried out by Professor Eamon O'Shea and was launched by my colleague the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, on 25 June 2003. A report commissioned by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and prepared by Mercer Consulting entitled Study on the Future Financing of Long-Term Care in Ireland, was launched simultaneously.
Professor O'Shea's report raises a number of important issues including balancing resource allocation, means and dependency assessment, the introduction of a home subvention payment and the funding of nursing home care in the future. These are all issues which will be considered by a group representative of all stakeholders being established by my Department to undertake a wide-ranging review of the scheme. Nominations have been sought from a number of stakeholders for representation on the group and it is intended that its first meeting will take place shortly.
I understand that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs will be engaging in a consultation process based on the recommendations in the Mercer report and it will be important that the work of the review group on the nursing home subvention scheme has regard to this consultation process.