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Nursing Home Subventions.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004

Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Questions (179, 180)

Jack Wall

Question:

246 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of successful applications for nursing home subvention and enhanced subvention in the South Western Area Health Board area; the number of applications pending a decision; the number of applications refused in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27178/04]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, the administration of the nursing home subvention scheme is a matter for the South Western Area Health Board, acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, in the first instance. My Department has therefore requested the chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.

Jack Wall

Question:

247 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the plans she has to review nursing subvention and enhanced subvention payments in regard to nursing home placements for persons in need of such care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27179/04]

View answer

In accordance with the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993, three rates of subvention are payable, that is, €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 per week in respect of three levels of dependency, which are medium, high and maximum. The subvention rates were increased by 25% with effect from April 2001.

Under the terms of sections 22.3 and 22.4 of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, a health board may, at its discretion, pay more than the maximum rate of subvention in particular circumstances, such as, for example, where an individual's personal funds are exhausted or where an individual is unable to meet the gap between the nursing home charge and the amount which he or she can contribute. The application of these provisions is a matter for the individual health board concerned in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention within the board's revenue allocation as notified in the letter of determination. This is in keeping with the provisions of the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996.

As the Deputy may be aware, a review of the nursing home subvention scheme is, being undertaken by my Department. 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. All aspects of the nursing home subvention scheme are, being looked at by the group, including rates of payment.

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