Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2004
106 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it can be made possible for elderly returning emigrants requiring nursing care to be assessed for their medical needs and for subvention in places in which they currently live; if her attention has been drawn to the current difficulties in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33650/04]
View answerPersons applying for a subvention under the nursing home subvention scheme must undergo both a medical assessment and means test to establish if they qualify for subvention. Both tests are carried out by the health board in whose functional area the person resides. It would not be possible under the current system for a person who is living abroad to be assessed for nursing home subvention in the place of their residence. However, the assessing health board would have regard to all medical reports and financial information available on the person from whatever jurisdiction when assessing an applicant for nursing home subvention.
107 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if nursing home subvention will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33651/04]
View answerThe provision of health services in the Kildare area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South Western Area Health Board acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.
