Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 145: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if persons aged 70 years and over are entitled to free care in a public hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27279/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All persons aged 70 years and over who are ordinarily resident in the State have full eligibility, and are therefore entitled to free care in a public hospital while they require medically acute care and treatment for any ailment in the public hospital. However, a person aged 70 years and over may be charged for inpatient services, after the acute phase is completed up to a maximum of 80% of a weekly non-contributory old age pension depending on the individual circumstances under SI 76 of 2005 Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005 subject to the provisions of section 53 of the Health Act 1970 as amended by the Health (Amendment) Act 2005.

The Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 allows for the payment of a subvention towards the cost of private nursing home care based on a dependency and means assessment. The criteria used in determining a person's eligibility for subvention is set out in the Nursing Homes Regulations 1993. The subvention scheme was introduced to assist with the cost of private nursing home care and it was never intended that a subvention payment would meet the full costs of private nursing home care.