Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
142 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on recent suggestions that too many families are leaving the responsibility for minding elderly family members to the State and that families should contribute to the cost of keeping their older relatives in retirement homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4104/04]
View answer169 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans his Department has to ask family members of elderly people in need of care, to contribute to the cost of such care services. [4028/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 169 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, the practice whereby the capacity of adult sons and/or daughters to contribute to the cost of their parents' care in private nursing homes was taken into account by the health boards ceased with effect from 1 January 1999. The current situation is, therefore, that families are not legally required to contribute towards the cost of elderly relatives' maintenance costs in extended care.
It is clear from population projections that, as a society, we will have to address the issue of how we will meet the cost of long-term care in the future. The Mercer report published by my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, considers the options available in this regard. I understand the Minister proposes to engage in widespread consultations in regard to the Mercer report prior to the establishment of a working group, involving all stakeholders, which will have the task of producing proposals for the funding of long-term care. The question of whether family members should be required to contribute to the cost of relatives' care is one which should be considered as part of that consultation process.
