David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 99: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive does not make allowances for VHI, BUPA and so on contributions in assessing the means of applicants for nursing home subvention; if the elderly are wise to continue making such contributions in view of the fact that the Health Service Executive view such contributions as not allowable under various means tests operated by the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12630/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The rules governing the assessment of means of applicants for nursing home subvention are set out in the Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations 1993, SI 227 of 1993. The regulations state that in calculating the means of a person in respect of whom a subvention has been sought, the HSE shall take all sources of income into account, including wages, salary, pension, allowances, etc. The regulations go on to state that means will be assessed net of pay related social insurance, statutory contributions and statutory levies. Therefore contributions to private health insurers such as VHI and BUPA are not taken into account as part of the means test. It is a matter for each individual to decide whether or not to pay into private insurance.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 100: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proportions of applications for nursing home subvention that are typically deemed as high, medium and maximum dependency by the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12631/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proportion of applications for nursing home subvention that qualifies for more than 50% of the maximum possible allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12632/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the maximum rate of nursing home subvention available on 1 June in each year since 1994; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12633/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Fourth Schedule of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993, SI 227 of 1993, set the maximum weekly rates of subvention, as assessed under the dependency assessment procedures. These rates were: medium dependency —£70 per week; high dependency —£95 per week; maximum dependency —£120 per week. These rates were increased by 25% in the Nursing Homes (Subvention) (Amendment) Regulations 2001, SI 89 of 2001, to: medium dependency —£90 per week or €114.30; high dependency —£120 per week or €152.40; maximum dependency —£150 per week or €190.50. However, the HSE has discretion to pay more than the maximum rate of subvention in a case, for example, where personal funds are exhausted. The application of this provision in an individual case is a matter for the HSE in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention within resources. In general, the average rate of subvention paid by the HSE generally exceeds the current approved basic rates.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 103: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average number of persons receiving nursing home subvention each year since 1994; the number of persons who received a subvention at any time since 1994; and the number of applicants for nursing home subventions in that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12634/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.