Limerick East): The Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, which came into effect on 1 September 1993 has two principal objectives. First, to ensure high standards of accommodation and care in all registered nursing homes registered by health boards under the Act, and second to provide a new system of nursing home subvention so that dependent persons most in need of nursing home care would have access to such care.
As the Deputy may be aware a number of changes have been made to the subvention scheme under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 by amending regulations which came into effect on 31 July 1996.
One of these changes increases the threshold above which the circumstances of a son or daughter are assessed by a health board to establish if he or she is in a position to contribute towards the cost of care in a nursing home of a parent who has qualified for a nursing home subvention. This amendment will have the effect of reducing the amount of time spent by health boards in assessing the circumstances of sons or daughters who are clearly not in a position to contribute towards the nursing home costs of a parent.
However, I believe that sons and daughters who are in a position to contribute towards the cost of a parent's nursing home fees should do so. The State recognises this contribution in the tax relief it gives on such payments.
With regard to the current levels of subvention payable, it must be stressed that a nursing home subvention is not intended to meet the full cost of a nursing home fee, but to provide assistance towards the cost of nursing home care for those who cannot do so from their own resources. I am aware that there are certain difficulties being encountered by some providers and persons seeking nursing home care. I will continue to endeavour to address these problems, and the issue of increasing the subvention rates, within the resources available to me.
