Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

159 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason his Department has not commenced the repayment of the money paid out for family members in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20620/01]

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

165 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has given instructions to health boards in relation to arrears due to people, having regard to the Ombudsman's decision concerning nursing home subventions; when this money is likely to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20677/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 165 together.

The Report of the Ombudsman into the nursing home subvention scheme identified a number of issues relating to the operation of the scheme. It is the intention of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, to bring proposals to Government in relation to whatever additional measures may be necessary arising from the Ombudsman's report, the expenditure review of the subvention scheme, together with experience gained from the operation of the scheme since its inception in 1993.

Our immediate priority is to ensure that the two aspects of the regulations that have the most direct impact on nursing home patients and their families are fully addressed without delay. Arrangements have already been made to enable nursing home patients and their families who may be due payments arising from the provisions in the regulations relating to the retention of one fifth of the rate of non-contributory old age pension for personal use to be refunded speedily. The provision which allowed for the assessment of the capacity of the adult sons and/or daughters of older people who applied for nursing home subventions to contribute towards the cost of their parents' nursing home care was deleted from the 1 January 1999. As the Deputy is aware, it has been decided that moneys should be paid to those who were adversely affected by this provision. It is anticipated that these payments will cost in the region of £6 million.

A group representing the Department, the health boards and Eastern Regional Health Authority has been established to ensure that this process is carried out on a uniform basis as speedily as possible. As soon as this group has issued its recommendations as to how this issue should be progressed, all boards will be advised accordingly. However, as you can appreciate, the issue of making payments will be a complex exercise involving,inter alia, difficult issues of traceability, and it may take some time to complete. Nevertheless, I can offer assurance that every effort will be made to make payments as quickly as possible.