Vol. 541 No. 2
501 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will clarify the regulations regarding provision of incontinence pads or other medications for elderly persons under the medical card scheme; if there is a difference in availability or provision to persons who are at home or in a private or public nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21671/01]
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 holders living in the community are a matter for the relevant health board.
My Department has written to the chief executive officers of all health boards asking them to ensure that medical card holders who have entered, or will enter, private nursing homes retain their eligibility for incontinence wear under the medical card scheme. The boards have been asked to put in place the necessary arrangements to ensure that all medical card holders in receipt of a subvention be supplied with incontinence wear on the same basis as if they were residing in the community.
