Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if private nursing home owners have the right to increase the weekly in-patient fee for elderly patients whenever they wish; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some families can not meet these increases. [5445/09]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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The cost of private nursing homes is set by the nursing home and is not determined by the Department. The Health Service Executive can pay an approved subvention to the nursing home of the applicants' choice and the payment of the balance of the nursing home fee is a matter between the applicant and the nursing home under the contract of care agreed between these parties. The existing subvention scheme is governed by the Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Act 2007. Under the Act, the maximum amount for basic subvention is €300 per week. The Act also provides for an enhanced subvention to be paid. However, there is no maximum amount set for enhanced subvention. The amount paid is at the discretion of the HSE. It varies according to the cost of care and is subject to the HSE's resources.

In order to qualify for a subvention, an individual must be:

(a) sufficiently dependent to require maintenance in a nursing home, and

(b) unable to pay any or part of the cost of maintenance in the home.

In order to determine this, they must undergo a means assessment which takes account of their income and assets. Persons who are already in receipt of subvention may re-apply to the HSE as they may now be eligible for an increased payment.

When the new Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal) is introduced, the National Treatment Purchase Fund will negotiate an annual price with each private nursing home who participates in the scheme. This price will hold until renegotiated.