Brendan Howlin
Ceist:26 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to increase the level of nursing home subvention in view of rising charges by nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14528/00]
Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.
Jim Higgins
Ceist:36 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to increase the nursing home subvention in view of the substantial increase in charges by private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13351/00]
Jim Higgins
Ceist:138 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve an increase in the rate of nursing home subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13348/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 36 and 138 together.
Under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, the health boards provide subventions to assist persons in meeting the costs of nursing home care. However, it was never intended that subventions would meet the full costs involved. There are three rates of subvention payable – £70, £95 and £120 – in accordance with three levels of dependency – medium, high and maximum. The amount of funding allocated to supporting older people in private nursing homes has been significantly increased by the Government in recent years. For example, over £5 million in additional funding has been allocated in the current year to provide for an increase in the number of people in receipt of subventions, their higher levels of dependency, resulting in more people receiving the higher rates of subventions, and the change in the regulations whereby the ability of adult sons and-or daughters over 21 years of age to contribute, is no longer taken into account. The amount made available for the scheme this year is £38.4 million.
The Government's priority this year is to ensure that health boards have adequate resources to meet increasing demands on the scheme. I am keeping under review the scope that exists for effecting further improvements in terms of the scheme. The question of increasing the rates of subvention will be kept under review in light of the availability of funding and competing priorities.