Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [32091/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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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.