Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the exact limit for pensioners to have a bank account when qualifying for the nursing home subvention; and if she will clarify the situation. [5735/07]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Nursing home subventions are paid in accordance with the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993-2006. Subventions are paid on the basis of a means test which takes account of an individual's income and assets. The means test disregards the first €11,000 of a person's assets, including assets such as savings.

From the 1st January 2007, the basic rate of subvention increased to a maximum of €300 per week. In addition to this, the HSE has now finalised National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme. These were circulated to all Local Health Office subvention officers on Monday, 29th January, 2007.

Under the guidelines, the assessment of means will now be carried out using a national standard financial assessment method. Furthermore, while the regulations allow the HSE to refuse a subvention where the value of a person's assets (excluding the home) exceed €36,000, the HSE Guidelines instruct that no-one should be automatically excluded from undertaking the means assessment on this basis.