Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I support the amendment. It is critically important that when a decision is made it should apply for 12 months. In many cases the battle in going back and forth to appeals officers to get the right decision for an elderly person can take almost 12 months. The Bill gives the executive the right to automatically review a decision.

The topical issue is taking 5% of the value of a property or house. In reality, this will force many elderly people to sell their homes. That is morally wrong and the Minister of State should review the matter. The average price of a house price is approximately €300,000. The Minister of State has stated, as the Taoiseach did earlier today, that if a house outside Dublin is worth €300,000, the owner will not be entitled to receive a nursing home subvention.

Let me give as an example a semi-detached house valued by an auctioneer at €200,000, 5% of which is used, even though the elderly person concerned cannot liquidate or sell that asset. If the house next door is sold at auction for €300,000 the week after a subvention is granted, under the legislation the HSE will be able to review its decision it made, even though the valuation will have been made by a certified valuer. All of a sudden, the elderly person concerned will have his or/her nursing home subvention withdrawn.

The rates of subvention mentioned by Deputy Twomey are appalling. The maximum rate in County Roscommon is €308. Last month the HSE decided it would not provide an enhanced subvention for anyone. This will result in people living in poverty. I know of one instance where a man lived in his home with his elderly mother who had to go into a nursing home. The 5% valuation came into play. He did not have any assets, other than the roof over his head. Because he did not meet any of the criteria laid down, he had to try to find the money somewhere. He committed suicide.

The executive should not have such flexibility. I came across a policy within the HSE on medical cards under which people were not told that they had the right of appeal. A person may be granted a subvention and believe it will be be payable for at least 12 months. However, the HSE will be able to review it immediately. In many cases, people are not informed that they have the right of appeal under certain schemes. It is important to have such a right.

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