Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Fees Subvention.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

178 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12, who is a geriatric patient at the Sallypark Nursing Home, whereby the Eastern Health Board have informed her family that a subvention towards her nursing home fees will be advanced only on foot of an irrevocable legal undertaking to repay any grants advanced by them from the sale of the person's house; if he agrees that this effectively denies the person concerned the right to bequeath her property on her death; the basis for this demand by the Eastern Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The Deputy will be aware that subventions paid towards maintenance of patients in private nursing homes are made at the discretion of the health board concerned. In coming to a decision on any application for such a subvention the board take into consideration the person's own means and any contribution made by family members.

Where a person has assets and is in a position to make a contribution to their maintenace in a private nursing home the Eastern Health Board expect that they would do so. I have sought details of the case in question from the Eastern Health Board.