Vol. 552 No. 4
69 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects to introduce the promised legislation to clarify the issue of whether a health board has the statutory duty to provide a place in a private nursing home if there is no room in its own facilities; the main features of the proposed legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12547/02]
In his report on the nursing home subvention scheme, the ombudsman has drawn attention to the uncertainty surrounding the eligibility of older people for long-term residential care. The need for clarification of entitlement in this regard is recognised in the national health strategy which states that the issue will be covered by the general review of existing legislation on eligibility. The objective of the review will be to update and rationalise the current framework so as to provide a clear national framework for entitlement to health and personal social services. The target set down in the strategy to have a Bill published by the end of 2002 remains in place.
