HC Deb 27 October 1995 vol 264 cc847-8W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people pay the cost of their nursing home care(a) in full and (b) in part; and how many have their costs entirely met through (i) income support and (ii) their local authority. [40186]

Mr. Moss

At 31 March 1995, health and social services boards, under their community care responsibilities, were meeting the care costs of 2,822 nursing home residents.

Information about the numbers of nursing home residents in receipt of the preserved rights rate of income support or who are self-financing is not readily available.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the cost of(a) doubling and (b) trebling the present £8,000 capital disregard for nursing home fees. [40190]

Mr. Moss

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of people who have had to sell their homes to fund the cost of their long-term stay in(a) residential and (b) nursing homes in each of the last five years. [40178]

Mr. Moss

This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length of time a person spends in full-time nursing care. [40182].

Mr. Moss

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.