James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is being charged their entire pension of €230 per week plus subvention of €580 per week for their long-stay nursing home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14970/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that, under the subvention scheme, the price charged for care is a matter for the nursing home proprietor and the individual. On the 27th October 2009, the subvention scheme was replaced by a new system of financial support, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. In contrast to the subvention scheme, under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme a person pays a contribution, based on 80% of their income and 5% of the value of any assets, and the State then pays the full balance of the cost of care in the nursing home.

Accordingly, the individual referred to by the Deputy may wish to consider transferring to the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Information on this scheme is available on the HSE and Department of Health and Children websites or from the local Nursing Homes Support Office at Longford Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ph: 044-9394995.