118 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Health the number of subventive beds in private nursing homes in the Eastern Health Board area in (1) 1983, (2) 1986, (3) 1988 and (4) 1990.

119 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Health the number of (a) geriatric and (b) psycho-geriatric subventive beds in private nursing homes in the Eastern Health Board area in (1) 1983, (2) 1986, (3) 1988 and (4) 1990.

120 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the subvention rate which is paid to private nursing homes per bed for individual (1) geriatric and (2) psycho-geriatric patients by the Eastern Health Board in (a) 1983, (b) 1986, (c) 1988 and (d) 1990.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 to 120, inclusive, together.

The Eastern Health Board provides geriatric and psycho-geriatric subvented beds for patients in private nursing homes under two arrangements: under section 54 of the Health Act, 1970 the Eastern Health Board pays a fixed subvention for patients in private nursing homes which are approved under the Act; and under section 26 of the 1970 Act it uses beds in private nursing homes under a contractual arrangement in respect of patients who are entitled to health board nursing accommodation but for whom there are insufficient places in health board homes.

The equivalent number of full-time beds in private nursing homes subvented by the Eastern Health Board under both arrangements for the years in question is as follows:

121 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the subvention rate which is paid to private nursing for individual (1) geriatric and (2) psycho-geriatric patients by the North Eastern Health Board in (a) 1983, (b) 1986, (c) 1988 and (d) 1990.

The Health Act, 1970 provides for the payment of subventions in respect of patients who are placed in private nursing homes which have been approved by the Minister under Section 54 of the Act. The approved homes would include private nursing homes which provide care for geriatric and psycho-geriatric patients, the same rate of subvention being paid in respect of both types of patient.