Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:438 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health when the commencement order under the Nursing Homes Act, 1990 will be signed; when the Act will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Vol. 425 No. 7
438 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health when the commencement order under the Nursing Homes Act, 1990 will be signed; when the Act will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
457 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health when the legislation which is required to change the system of subventing patients in nursing homes will be initiated; when the legislation will be in place and the new system operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 457 together.
The Health (Nursing Homes) Act, which provides for a new system for subventing dependent persons in nursing homes, was passed in 1990 but has not yet been implemented.
The Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997 includes a commitment that provision will be made in the 1993 estimates to begin the phased implementation of the Nursing Homes Act.
In the light of this commitment, I propose to commence the Act later this year.