Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

——and is given discretion in order that its granting may be flexible. Amounts of enhanced subvention vary from case to case and obviously depend on the particulars of the case in question, the cost of nursing home care in the locality and the amount of resources available to the HSE. An additional €20 million has been allocated to nursing home subvention for this year, bringing the total spend this year to €160 million, and the aim is to standardise means tests and bring greater consistency to the different levels of enhanced subvention support. Following on from the budget announcement yesterday, work is being completed within the Department on refining the subvention scheme and this will be announced in due course.

I will deal specifically with a number of questions and issues raised by Members, starting with the last one which was from Senator Norris. The Bill provides the HSE with discretion to refuse to pay a subvention if the value of the applicant's assets exceeds a certain threshold or the value of the applicant's principal residence exceeds a certain threshold and his or her income is above a certain level, but the €9,000 income threshold only applies in conjunction with a property valued over the above levels and, therefore, it is incorrect to state that a person with an income of €9,000 would be refused subvention solely on the basis of this income.

Senator Glynn mentioned his experience of the lack of visits. Unfortunately, that is true. It is something that I have come across. A number of people in long-term care do not receive the type of visits required. Senator Henry referred to the visits, and even the importance of the visit of a postman. The meals on wheels scheme provides enormous benefit to people. Apart from the nourishment in the meal, there is the social contact as well in that older people often suffer from loneliness.

Senator Ryan's contribution was an interesting one, which perhaps we will take up on a different day. Senator Leyden also referred to the illegal charges and I hope that I have dealt with the issues raised.

Senator O'Rourke——