Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 274: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when greater consistency will be brought to the different levels of enhanced nursing home subvention support throughout the country as outlined in the budget 2006 speech; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6937/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993 are administered by the Health Service Executive. There are three rates of subvention payable —€114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 — for the three levels of dependency, which are medium, high and maximum. 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 these 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.