216 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that a person qualifying for nursing home subvention of €300.00 per week will have this subvention reduced by €200.00 per week if they own a house worth €200,000.00. [6729/07]

From 1st January 2007 there are no longer three separate rates for subvention. Persons who apply may receive any amount up to a maximum of €300 per week. The payment of subvention is subject to means-testing.

The HSE has recently finalised National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme. Under the guidelines, the assessment of means will now be carried out using a national standard financial assessment method.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.