Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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471. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 15 October 2014, his views on the allowable deductions under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Allowable Deductions) Regulations 2014, with particular reference to the €31 per week deduction for a couple with a child; his further views on whether that adequately reflects the cost of maintaining a child, that any deduction of a greater amount reflecting the real cost of maintaining a dependent child is permitted by the regulations only where payments are made in that regard under a separation agreement or pursuant to a court order; that the regulations in this respect are unfair, discriminate against a child being cared for within the family and are unsustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4822/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Allowable Deductions) Regulations 2014, which came into effect on the 1st September 2014, expanded the definition of "Allowable Deductions" in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 to allow the HSE to make allowance for dependent children.

The Regulations are not arbitrary but are based on rates applied elsewhere by the Department of Social Protection. Under the Regulations, the HSE may deduct from the means assessed for the Scheme the equivalent of Child Benefit, plus the full rate of the Increase for a Qualified Child in respect of each dependent child. ( Individuals in receipt of certain Social Welfare payments may claim an Increase for a Qualified Child for each qualified child under the age of 18 who lives with, and is being maintained by, the claimant. The increase may also be paid in respect of a child between 18-22 if s/he is in full-time education at a recognised school/college. The full rate of the Increase for a Qualified Child is €29.80 per week (€119.20 ever 4 weeks).)

The costs of caring for children, where it is relevant, will also be taken into account by deducting a fixed amount from declared means equivalent to the amounts allowed for dependent children for the purposes of medical card income assessments.