HC Deb 28 October 1993 vol 230 cc791-2W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he will take to ensure that all residents in nursing and residential homes receive their personal allowance of £12.65 per week.

Mr. Ancram

The registration and inspection units monitor the extent to which residential and nursing homes help residents to control their own finances, including personal allowances, as part of their inspection process. They also monitor the arrangements in place for handling the finances of those residents who cannot look after their own affairs. The units have the power to cancel the registration of residential and nursing homes where standards are considered to be below an acceptable level.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps will be taken to increase income support levels for those in receipt of care in residential and nursing homes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ancram

Each year the Government make an assessment of the position and look carefully at the levels of the income support limits as part of the general benefit uprating exercise. This will continue to be the case.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports have been received in respect of residential and nursing homes by the registration and inspection units set up under the Residential Homes Order 1992; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ancram

The Eastern, Northern and Western boards registration and inspection units have each produced two annual reports which detail the work undertaken since their establishment. The Southern board's registration and inspection unit is about to produce its first annual report. The reports are presented to health and social services boards and are available to members of the public on request.