§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland on the extent to which social security payments and state pensions are adequate to meet the costs of elderly people in private residential homes; and as to the extent of the practice of using residents' pocket money to meet the extra costs of staying in such homes.
§ Mr. NeedhamInformation is not held centrally about the numbers of residents in private homes for persons in need whose charges exceed the amounts of their benefits and who may use their personal expenses allowance towards the excess. From 10 April 1989, the relevant income support limits will range from £140 to £200 a week.
§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the average income of an elderly person in a residential home in Northern Ireland, excluding any private source of income.
§ Mr. NeedhamNone.
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§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest available information that he has as to the costs of maintaining a resident in(a) a private residential home for the elderly in Northern Ireland, (b) a residential home for the elderly run by a social services board and (c) a private nursing home in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. NeedhamInformation is available only on(b) the average cost, excluding capital and central administration costs, being some £162 a week in the year ended 31 March 1988.