Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the direction given to public nursing homes and long-stay institutions regarding the retention of the pensions of patients; the restriction on payments from a patient property account to cover only money for small comfort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4615/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Following receipt of legal advice on the matter, my Department issued an instruction to each former health board on 9 December 2004 to cease imposing any charges on fully eligible individuals in receipt of in-patient services in the public long-stay care facilities in question with effect from that date. The Health Service Executive, responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services since 1 January 2005, has advised that the former chief executive officers of all health boards instructed staff to comply with this directive.

The Health Service Executive has reported that where it has been authorised to act as the patient's agent when dealing with the patient's pension payments, weekly spending money is paid to each patient and the balance of such patient's pension is lodged to his or her patient private property account, from where it is accessible to the patient. With regard to the matter of the return of the pension book to patients, it is important that the process of altering the existing arrangements be carried out in an appropriate manner. Accordingly, the Health Service Executive has indicated that it is issuing a letter to all patients who have authorised it to act as their agent, offering them choices with regard to their pension books, and that arrangements will be made to return the pension books to the patients in question if that is their choice. Some patients may not be in a position to make a decision regarding their arrangements and the process will have to involve the patient's next of kin. This matter will be dealt with by each nursing home or institution and, so, there will be an opportunity to discuss the matter with the relevant local staff.

The Health Service Executive is working conjointly with the Department of Social and Family Affairs in this regard. The emphasis is on ensuring that a choice is given to those who are in a position to exercise it and to ensure that the best interest of the patient is maintained at all times.