266 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will examine a situation where an application made on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork for the maximum subvention has not to date received a decision; and when a decision will be made by the health board on the question of a maximum subvention given that the fees for the nursing home will be increased to ?550 per week with effect from 1 April 2002 and this person's only income is a social welfare payment. [11009/02]

As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in County Cork rests with the Southern Health Board. In this regard, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.