Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 June 2004
126 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date by the group established by his Department to undertake a review of the nursing home subvention scheme; and when it is expected that the group will report. [18627/04]
View answerThe 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 nursing home subvention 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; to make recommendations on the development and implementation of quality care standards in institutional settings; and to make recommendations on such other matters as the group considers appropriate within the broad parameters of its mandate.
The ultimate aim of the review will be the development of a system which will be transparent, provide equity, be less discretionary and be 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. These include Departments, health agencies, voluntary and professional groups and the private nursing home sector.
The group has been hearing submissions from interested parties and has also benefited from hearing presentations from the authors of the above mentioned reports. At its most recent meeting, which was held on 27 May, the group has been considering issues such as the broad principles which should underpin any revisions to the nursing home subvention scheme as well as the themes on which it might be possible to make progress in the short or longer term. One of the key matters to be discussed and considered will be the need to maintain synergy between the group's work and deliberations elsewhere in relation to the Mercer report. For these reasons it is not possible at this stage to be precise about the date on which the group will report.
