Results 1,281-1,300 of 1,546 for speaker:Áine Brady

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: With regard to the issue of care need assessment as raised by Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, there will be a multidisciplinary team in each HSE region and the HSE has agreed a national common needs assessment summary to standardise the procedure. With regard to the farm or small business issue, the representations from the farming organisations asked specifically that we take into account unexpected...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: The other request from the farming organisations related to cases involving a family farm business where the successor would depend on the farm for a living or part thereof. Older people are encouraged to plan and sign over farms to their successors, and it is presumed that somebody who has become infirm over a number of years would have done this many years previously.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: I move amendment No. 12: In page 13, line 34, to delete "15 working days" and substitute "10 working days". I will speak to amendments Nos. 12, 23, 30, 32, 34, 42, 43, 50, 58, 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, 79, 86, 89, 91, 92 and 93. On Committee Stage the Minister indicated she would consider a number of issues relating to timeframes. She indicated she would consider the reduction of timeframes for...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: Amendment No. 39 stipulates the periodic basis for ancillary State support shall not exceed two months. This approach acknowledges the administrative reality that the State will provide financial support by transferring funds in block payments to the nursing home monthly or mostly bi-monthly. By enabling the Minister for Health and Children to specify the exact period in writing, the...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: I move amendment No. 14: In page 14, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: "(13) The content of a care needs assessment report may be provided to a relevant facility or approved nursing home with the prior consent of the person who is the subject of the report.". This amendment reflects the commitment given to Deputy Reilly on Committee Stage to provide that care needs assessments...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: Yes. The Minister believes it should not be a case of only certain people being allowed to be selected. Medical social workers already undertake this role of assistance. Under sections 21 and 47, a family can nominate any person they wish to fulfil the role, including a solicitor or doctor. The HSE cannot do this directly because of a conflict of interest.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: I move amendment No. 16: In page 14, to delete lines 14 to 26 and substitute the following: "(13) In this section "specified person" has the same meaning as it has in section 47.". Taken collectively, amendments Nos. 16 and 114 streamline the Bill's provision in respect of non-court appointed representatives. Their aim is to ensure a clear and coherent approach on the issue of non-court...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: Amendments Nos. 21, 22 and 29 relate to the application for State support and the financial assessment of means. They propose to qualify requests for information by the HSE by stating that such requests should be reasonable. While I accept the good intention of the Deputy that underlies these amendments, all information requested by the application form for the scheme or during the course...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: The Department of Health and Children has undertaken that it will examine the whole area and there will be a review in three years to check whether there have been any problems. The Department will also review the draft application form to ensure that it will only seek necessary information. I will have to check with regard to any legal ambiguity regarding the point that requests should be...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: I am unable to give such a broad commitment today. My understanding is that a list of all the items one must bring in regard to the application will be contained on the application form. Given that we are now reviewing the draft application form, which has already been drawn up, we will be able to ensure all the information is included.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: I move amendment No. 23: In page 15, line 34, to delete "15 working days" and substitute "10 working days".

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: Amendments Nos. 27 and 28 propose to remove the right of the HSE to appoint a suitable person to value assets and stipulate that any valuation must be undertaken by an independent third party. First, it should be noted that individuals will be submitting their own valuations alongside their application form for State support. As such, this provision is merely a necessary safeguard within...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: Generally, we expect the applicant's valuation to be accepted. This amendment, which is a safeguard, will ensure that the HSE will pay for it if it disputes the applicant's valuation. Deputy Reilly's amendment would require the HSE to fund the cost of the valuation. Under the legislation as it stands, the HSE will not seek a second opinion unless the applicant's valuation is disputed.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: The HSE will not seek a valuation unless there is a dispute about the application.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: The matter will be reviewed by the financial review section.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: Under Deputy Reilly's amendment, we would have to meet every applicant's costs.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: The applicant would be able to make an appeal to the relevant officers in the financial review section.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: They are on a panel appointed by the Minister.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (26 May 2009)

Áine Brady: The appeals officers, who will be appointed by the Minister, will settle any disputes in the financial review section.