Vol. 547 No. 1
665 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in the Eastern Health Board area affected by the Ombudsman's report on nursing home subvention; when the board will make the ex gratia payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2503/02]
As the Deputy is aware, it has been decided that moneys should be paid to those who were adversely affected by the provision in the nursing home subvention regulations which allowed for the assessment of the capacity of the adult sons and/or daughters of older people who applied for nursing home subvention to contribute towards the cost of their parent's nursing home care.
A group representing the Department and the health boards Eastern Regional Health Authority was established to ensure that this process is carried out on a uniform basis as speedily as possible. Instructions as to how the payments should be made was issued by my Department and funding was made available to commence the making of these payments from 1 November 2001. I understand the Eastern Regional Health Authority is continuing to examine files relating to subvention applications and a final total is not currently available.
Nevertheless, my Department has asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate and respond to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
