Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 2

Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.

Seán Power

Ceist:

367 Mr. S. Power asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is considering a change in his policy regarding subvention to private nursing homes in caring for the elderly in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18259/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Callely):

In line with a Government decision, an expenditure review of the nursing home subvention scheme has been undertaken by my Department in association with the Department of Finance. The objectives of the review of the subvention scheme were, inter alia, to examine the objectives of the nursing home subvention scheme and the extent to which they remain valid, to assess the service delivered and to establish what scope, if any, exists for achieving the programme objectives by other more efficient and effective means. This review was launched last week in association with my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs who also launched a report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland.

A review of the nursing home regulations is being undertaken in my Department. The objective of the review is to develop a scheme which will be transparent, offer a high standard of care for clients, provide equity within the system to include standardised dependency and means testing, be less discretionary, provide both a home and nursing home subvention depending on need, be consistent in implementation throughout the country and draw on experience of the operation of the old scheme. My Department will also be consulting with all stakeholders as part of the review process.