Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

The Leader will be aware that substantial funding has been promised to increase significantly subvention payments for patients and elderly people in nursing homes and hospitals. It is proposed that the enhanced subvention will be paid from the beginning of this year. The House should ask the Department to indicate how quickly the new system will be introduced and how it proposes to proceed.

Many individuals and families are under severe financial pressure owing to the current low rate of subvention. It is important, therefore, that the payment is enhanced and the increase backdated as soon as possible. A way must be found to prevent institutions from increasing charges in anticipation of the increased subvention. I ask that the House discuss this matter as soon as possible.