187 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the maximum subvention rate per patient per day which was paid to private nursing homes for long stay geriatric patients in (a) the Eastern Health Board area and (b) the North-Eastern Health Board area for the years (1) 1983, (2) 1986, (3) 1988 and (4) 1990.

The rates of subvention paid per day to private nursing homes for longstay geriatric patients in the North-Eastern Health Board area are as follows:

(1) 1983 — £5.15 per patient per day;

(2) 1986 — £6.25 per patient per day;

(3) 1988 — £6.65 per patient per day; and

(4) 1990 — £7.02 per patient per day.

For the Eastern Health Board area the normal long stay subvention rate paid between 1983 and 1990 was fixed at £6 per patient per day.

In the case of both health boards amounts over and above the approved rates can be paid in exceptional circumstances on a case by case basis in response to the needs of the individual case.