Vol. 570 No. 2
440 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason different health boards have differing means tests for the nursing home subvention; and the measures he intends to have this scheme uniformly applied. [18811/03]
The means assessment employed by the health boards and authorities is governed by the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990, which came into operation in 1993 and which sets out the rules to be applied when assessing an application for a nursing home subvention.
Where differences occur in the application of the means test for nursing home subvention, they may be due to local interpretation of the nursing home subvention regulations, for example, in the consideration of assets held by particular individuals. In addition differences do arise in the application of means testing to applicants for enhanced subventions. These are payments made by health boards in excess of the normal nursing home subvention rates and are provided for under Articles 22.3 and 22.4 of the Nursing Home Subvention Regulations 1993. They may be paid at the discretion of the individual health boards within the context of their overall funding allocation, in accordance with the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996.
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. 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 comprehensive review of the nursing home regulations is also being undertaken within my Department. The objective of the review is to develop a scheme which will be transparent, offer a high standard of care for clients and 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; and 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.
