207 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if agreement has been reached with the Southern Health Board regarding the payment of enhanced subvention to qualifying patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3208/02]

As the Deputy is aware, sections 22(3) and 22(4) of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, 1993, allow health boards the discretion to contract beds in private nursing homes and to pay more than the maximum rates of subvention in such cases. However, the application of these provisions is a matter for each health board in the context of meeting the requirements of the subvention scheme within the board's revenue allocation as notified annually in the letters of determination. This is in keeping with the provisions of the Health (Amendment)(No. 3) Act, 1996.

In 1997, the funding available for the scheme was £27 million, in 2001 the sum was £52 million and in 2002 the funding available is £72 million or €91.4 million. In recognition of the issues involved, this Department made significant additional resources of more than £1.2 million or €1.5 million available to the Southern Health Board at the end of 2001. Furthermore, the Southern Health Board received an additional £3.35 million or €4.24 million this year, including a sum of €2.641 million to respond to extra pressures on the scheme.

It is the Department's intention to remain in contact with all health boards throughout the year on this and other issues. However, as the responsibility for the provision of health services in the Southern Health Board area rests with the board itself, it is a matter for the board to determine the appropriate action to be taken.