Written answers

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 496: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the timeframe for the closure of St. Joseph's Psychiatric Hospital, Limerick, in accordance with the policy of moving patients to more appropriate accommodation; if the development of a facility (details supplied) to accommodate patients is going ahead; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1929/09]

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if patients in psychiatric hospitals who are in receipt of disability allowance or other social welfare payments are only allowed to retain €35 per week for their personal use; if this applies to all patients in psychiatric hospitals; her views on whether it is adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1930/09]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and the subsequent Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005 and the (Health Charges for In-patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 provide the legislative basis for the imposition of long stay charges. The legislation provides for two different classes of person for the purpose of levying a charge.

Class 1

Class 1 refers to persons in receipt of in-patient services on premises where nursing care is provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises.

Class 2

Class 2 refers to persons in receipt of in-patient services where nursing care is not provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises.

The Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 amend the 2005 regulations and provide for the first increase in the level of long stay charges payable since 2005. The following revised level of charges will apply.

In the case of Class 1 a weekly charge of €153.25 or the weekly income of that person less €44.70, whichever is the lesser. In the case of Class 2 a weekly charge of €114.95 or the weekly income of that person less €70.25 or 60% of the weekly income of that person, whichever is the lesser. The actual charge levied will vary from person to person depending on individual circumstances and under the legislation the Health Service Executive can waive or reduce the charges to avoid undue financial hardship.

The increase in the level of long stay charge levied is directly linked to recent increases in social welfare entitlements. The new weekly charge for Class 1 of €153.25 represents an increase of €33.25 or 27.7% on the 2005 charges and the new weekly charge for Class 2 of €114.95 represents an increase of €24.95 or 27.7% on the 2005 charges. In the corresponding period from 2005 to 2009 the rate of Disability Allowance payable has increased by €55.50 or 37.7%. The rate of Disability Allowance has increased from €148.80 in 2005 to €204.30 in 2009.

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