Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 175: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the high care cost of Alzheimer's patients at a centre (details supplied) in County Dublin, appropriately higher nursing home subvention levels will be provided to meet this specialist care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34235/04]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, St. Joseph's is a private facility offering nursing care to individuals, many of whom suffer from terminal dementia. As the placement of an individual in a private nursing home is a private matter between the patient or his-her representative and the nursing home, my Department has no function in the matter of fees charged by the home. Nursing home subvention payments are paid by the Health Service Executive and the rates of subvention are currently €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 depending on the level of dependency. The HSE, under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990, can enter into an arrangement with a nursing home to pay more, that is, enhanced subvention, than the maximum rate payable for the three levels of dependency, on a discretionary basis.