Paul McGrath
Question:601 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give an update on the review of the nursing home subvention scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11850/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
Questions (544)
Written answers
The review is taking into account issues arising from the interpretation of certain aspects of the 1990 Act and the subvention regulations which have arisen over the years, the ombudsman's comments on the operation of the nursing home subvention scheme, the recommendations in the O'Shea and Mercer reports and the views of clients and service providers on the operation of the scheme. The aims and objectives of the review are to recommend any changes necessary in the light of Professor O'Shea's recommendations, to make recommendations on an equitable means assessment test for subvention, to make recommendations on the development of a standardised dependency test, to examine alternative care settings such as home care and to make recommendations for the funding of such care settings as an alternative to long-term residential care and to make recommendations on the development and implementation of quality care standards in institutional settings. The ultimate aim of the review will be the development of a system which will be transparent, provide equity, be less discretionary and financially sustainable.
The review group has been working for a number of months and is comprised of a wide variety of stakeholders representing the many and varied interests associated with long-term care. The group has been hearing submissions from interested parties and has almost completed this process. The group has also benefited from hearing from the authors of the above mentioned reports. The group will now move on to looking at the specific terms of reference and decide how and in what order it should begin to address these. The group will be guided in this by the submissions from various stakeholders as well as the recommendations outlined in the O'Shea and Mercer reports.
Question No. 602 answered with QuestionNo. 578.