Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person who was not in receipt of an old age contributory or non-contributory pension is entitled to subvention or to a place in a Health Service Executive nursing home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11423/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and the Nursing Homes Regulations 1993 provide for the payment of subvention for private nursing home care for applicants who qualify on both medical and means grounds.

Under the regulations the Health Service Executive when considering an application for subvention carries out a means test which takes into account the means of the applicant and his or her spouse or cohabiting partner where appropriate and the assets of the applicant. The means test is usually carried out by the local community welfare officer and involves looking at the applicant's income for the previous 12 months. Income from all sources is taken into account, including wages, salary, pension, allowances, payments for part-time and seasonal work, income from rentals and investments and savings. Income is assessed net of PRSI, income tax and the health contribution. The income of a married or cohabiting person is taken to be half the total income of the couple. In assessing an applicant's assets the first €7,618 of such assets is disregarded and if their assets excluding their principal residence exceed €25,740 an application may be refused.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf health and personal social services. Accordingly, the placement of a person would be in the first instance the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.