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Nursing Home Subventions.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004

Thursday, 28 October 2004

Questions (181)

David Stanton

Question:

180 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding old aged pensioners of low means who have to become patients in community hospitals administered by the health boards with reference to the home of the pensioner; if this will be viewed as an asset or its value can be taken into account when calculating changes that might be levied on the old person as a result of being a patient in the community hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26629/04]

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Written answers

In respect of people availing of public long-stay care, charges can be made under two regulations. They can be made under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 1976, as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations 1987. These regulations enable charges to be made towards the cost of providing hospital in-patient services for persons with income who have been in receipt of such services for more than 30 days or for periods totalling more than 30 days within the previous 12 months. The regulations provide that a charge is made at a rate not exceeding the person's income. Medical card holders and persons with dependants are exempt from these charges. Charges may also be made under the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1965 where the patient receives "shelter and maintenance" rather than treatment. These charges apply from the date of admission and are payable by all patients who are in receipt of incomes, including medical card holders and persons with dependants. Under the Health Act 1970 the determination of eligibility for health services, including charges, is primarily the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. I understand from the health boards that the person's home is not considered during such assessment. Under the Second Schedule of the Nursing Home Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 227 of 1993), provision was made for including the value of the person's home in respect of the subvention of private nursing homes only.

In deciding the amount to be contributed, health boards have regard to the person's individual circumstances. Allowance is made for any financial commitments the person may have and a reasonable amount is left to meet the person's personal needs. Charges may be waived if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the relevant health board, payment would cause undue hardship.

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