Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1601. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the unfairness of payment levels based on need under the Health (Residential Support Services Maintenance and Accommodation Contributions) Regulations 2016; if this could be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59956/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Residential Support Services Maintenance and Accommodation Contributions (RSSMAC) are statutory contributions towards accommodation and maintenance costs paid, under the provisions of sections 67A-D of the Health Act 1970, by certain recipients of non-acute residential support services provided by or on behalf of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

It is considered reasonable that those in receipt of residential support services whose accommodation and maintenance costs (such as groceries, utilities such as heat and light) are met by the State, would make affordable contributions towards such costs, while ensuring that a reasonable amount of income is retained in each individual’s case for personal use.

The applicable contribution rates are provided for under the Health (Residential Support Services Maintenance and Accommodation Contributions) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 467 of 2016) and related amending regulations (most recently S.I. No. 1 of 2022).

The RSSMAC framework incorporates features to ensure that contributions are reasonable, fair and that service users' contributions are based on what they can afford, taking account of their individual circumstances. For example:

• The rates payable by individuals are based on sliding scales, with proportionally lower rates applying to lower incomes;
• A number of categories of income are exempt from the definition of ‘weekly income’ in determining the appropriate contribution rate, such as certain social Welfare payments; certain payments, ex-gratia payments or income derived from payments from specific redress schemes;
• Service users may apply for and be granted full or partial waivers, depending on their individual circumstances (including financial circumstances and care plan objectives); and
• Service users may appeal RSSMAC decisions, including in relation to rates payable and waiver applications.