Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
663. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of 11 February 2014, where the Health Service Executive stated (details supplied); if he will clarify in regard to the the class 1 and class 2 charges when they are applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16646/14]
View answerCharges for long-stay in-patient services were provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and came into effect on 15 July 2005 under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005. These Regulations have been amended on a number of occasions since then, most recently by the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, which came into effect on 23 July 2011.
The Regulations made under the Act provide for two different classes of charges:
- Class 1- charges for those receiving in-patient services on premises where 24 hour nursing care is provided are based on income, subject to a current maximum of €175 per week) and
- Class 2 - charges for those receiving in-patient services on premises where 24 hour nursing care is not provided are based on income, subject to a current maximum of €130 per week).
A person in receipt of Disability Allowance at the current maximum rate of €188 p.w. would be liable, subject to a financial assessment, to a maximum charge under Class 1 of €155 p.w. and under Class 2 of €120 p.w. The charges are structured to ensure that those paying them retain a minimum income for personal use i.e. at least €33 per week for those paying Class 1 rates and at least €64 per week for those paying Class 2 rates.
Section 53(4) of the Health Act 1970 provides that the HSE may reduce or waive a charge imposed on a person in order to avoid undue financial hardship to that person. To assist in the fair application of the provisions of the Act and the related Regulations, the HSE has developed national guidelines for the determination and levying of charges for in-patient services, which include the need to have regard to the income of the person, the provisions of the Regulations and the patient's individual circumstances.
With regard to the individual in question, I am advised by the HSE that Class 1 charges were applicable between 15 July 2005 and 17 October 2010 and that Class 2 charges were applicable from 18 October 2010 until 30 March 2013.
