John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a 35-bed unit requires 760 hours of nurse and carer attention per week; her plans to have a uniform policy on contract beds treating all nursing homes in an equal fashion; if her attention has further been drawn to the serious crisis encountered by many small nursing homes in the west with capital allowances, subvention amounts, falling bed numbers and wages costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6245/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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A working group was established to look at all aspects of the subvention scheme and the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990. Among the aims of this working group is the development of a system, which will be transparent, provide equity, be less discretionary, be financially sustainable and ensure a high standard of care is on offer to clients.

The capital allowances referred to were introduced as an incentive to the private sector to invest in new nursing homes and to extend or renovate existing homes. Since their introduction the number of nursing homes throughout the country has increased significantly, thereby offering greater choice and newer facilities to the public. The issue of subvention rates will be addressed in the context of the working group's remit and it is not anticipated that rates will increase before the recommendations of that group are brought to Government.