Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

Amendment No. 21 replaces the three previous rates of subvention, namely, €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 per week for medium, high and maximum dependency, respectively, with one single rate of €300. This measure is one of those already introduced from 1 January this year by way of the Nursing Homes (Subvention)(Amendment) Regulations 2006. This is now simply being transposed into primary legislation.

The second part of amendment No. 21 is technical and serves purely to reflect the fact that there is now a single rate of subvention, as well as the change of name from old age non-contributory pension to State pension (non-contributory). Amendments Nos. 20 and 22 are technical amendments necessary on foot of amendment No. 21.