Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the maximum nursing home subvention rate payable in each of the Health Service Executive areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3649/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the maximum rate payable under the nursing home subvention regulations under the policy for dealing with hardship cases in each of the Health Service Executive areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3650/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together.

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

The HSE has discretion to 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 those 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. An additional €20 million has been provided for subvention payments this year, including addressing the variations in payments in different areas.

The broad policy questions relating to long-term care have been examined by an interdepartmental group on long-term care, which has now reported to Government. Among the issues that it has examined is the question of the appropriate level of State support for long-term residential care. The report has been submitted to the Government.