Vol. 531 No. 3
266 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision on a refund of medical expenses for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5987/01]
The Deputy will be pleased to learn that arrangements are in place for the supply of incontinence pads to medical card holders whether they are living in the community or cared for in a private nursing home. Arrangements for the supply of incontinence pads to medical card patients living in the community are a matter for the relevant health board. However, under Article 16 of the Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, patients cared for in private nursing homes who are subvented by a health board should receive incontinence pads from the nursing home. If a medical card holder is being cared for in a private nursing home but is not being subvented by a health board, it would be a matter for the health board to supply incontinence pads as required.
I have asked the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.
