The Nursing Home Subvention Scheme is governed by the Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Act 2007. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has also produced National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme.
The legislation provides for an individual's means to be reviewed. In addition, the Guidelines state that an individual's means should be reviewed at least on an annual basis. This would take account of declines in the housing market as well as reduced levels of rental income. However, the Guidelines further state that reviews of means can be undertaken at any time, when the means of the client warrant a review.
Finally, the legislation also provides for certain decisions of the HSE, including the result of a review of an individual's means, to be appealed.