asked the Minister for Health if a Cheshire Home in County Wicklow is due £11,500 in capitation grants from his Department for the past 27 months; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wicklow Home.
32.
Mr. Murphy
Capitation grants on the approved basis of £3.30 a day are paid routinely and there is no capitation payment outstanding such as suggested by the Deputy.
I am informed, however, that a revenue deficit of the home in question, resulting from expenditure levels in 1974 and 1975 exceeding the income from capitation payments and other sources, has reached the figure mentioned by the Deputy.
I have received representations about the accumulated deficits of all the Cheshire Homes, including the one in County Wicklow and I am considering these in consultation with the health boards concerned.
When were these representations made and for how long has the Minister been considering the matter?
It came to my notice in January.
Apparently, I was misinformed as to the amount of money involved. Are the Department liable for the deficit?
Not necessarily.
What would be the Department's involvement, then?
Both the capitation grants and the deficits are paid through the health board.
Is the problem, then, one for the health board?
Yes, but I am in consultation with the health boards concerned in respect of all these homes.
Is it the position, therefore, that the Eastern Health Board are awaiting moneys from the Department to meet this liability?
Not necessarily. As I have said, there is a deficit but I am in consultation with the health boards and the trustees in an effort to find out how best the difficulty can be overcome.
That deficit has been in existence for 27 months.
Next question, please.
That is not unusual. In 1974 it was in the region of £5,000.
I have called the next question.
The deficit is now at £11,500. What is the intention of the Minister in this regard?
I have told the Deputy the position.
It is not satisfactory.