Govt funding for care home residents increased to €1,300

The government on Wednesday increased funding for those staying in care homes to €1,300 per month, in a bid to reflect present-day costs, Deputy Welfare Minister Marilena Evangelou announced after a cabinet session.

Currently, those eligible can receive up to €745 per month but the figure was increased to €1,300.

According to Evangelou, individuals who receive guaranteed minimum income (GMI) and low-income pensioners are eligible for the funding, provided they or other members of their household do not have more than €10,000 in deposits.

The total cost of the scheme amounts to €7.7m annually. Evangelou specified the next step is to for providers to express an interest in the scheme and there will be more announcements to follow.

“Our expectation is that the scheme will work and serve its purpose, and that it will also give impetus to the free market for the development of the sector, in professions of care and support for the elderly,” Evangelou concluded.