Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he intends to increase the nursing home subvention to a more realistic level. [14013/04]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993 are administered by the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. At present there are three rates of subvention payable, €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 for medium, high and maximum levels of dependency. The payments include an increase of 25% that came into effect in April 2001.

A health board may pay more than the maximum rate of subvention relative to an individual's level of dependency in a case such as no remaining personal funds. The application of these provisions is a matter for the health board concerned in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention within its revenue allocation as notified annually in the letters of determination. This is in keeping with the provisions of the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996. The average rate of subvention generally exceeds the current approved rates.

At present a review of the scheme is under way involving all of the key stakeholders. Its objective is to develop a transparent scheme that offers a high standard of care for clients; provides equity in the system to include standardised dependency and means testing; is less discretionary; provides a home and nursing home subvention depending on need; is consistent when implemented; and is financially sustainable and draw on experience of the operation of the old scheme. Pending the outcome of the review, there are no plans to increase the current approved subvention rates.