John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the maximum subvention for private nursing care in 1990 was £120, that is, €152.40 per week and 15 years later the maximum subventions is €220 per week, that is, an increase of only €67.80; her plans to redress this in line with inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3326/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993, are administered by the Health Service Executive. There are currently three rates of subvention payable, that is, €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 for the three levels of dependency which are medium, high and maximum. Included in these payments is an increase of 25% which came into effect in April 2001.

The HSE may pay more than the maximum rate of subvention relative to an individual's level of dependency in a case, for example, where personal funds are exhausted. The application of these provisions in an individual case is a matter for the HSE in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention subject to the provisions of the Health Act, 2004. The average rate of subvention paid by the HSE generally exceeds the current approved basic rates.

A review of the nursing home subvention scheme is currently under way involving all of the key stakeholders. Pending the outcome of the review the current approved subvention rates will remain in place.