26 March 2002
5.The proposal is in response to a recommendation by a Royal Commission on Long Term Care for the Elderly, which consulted widely. Public meetings were held in many cities, including Belfast. The recommendation was that Government should consider whether “preserved rights payments in social security should be brought within the post 1993 system of community care funding, or whether some other solution can be found to address the shortfall in funding experienced by this group.”
6.Further local consultation on the options was carried out by the DHSSPS during May and June 2000. This consultation document was sent to 74 separate organisations and individuals, including the HSS Boards and Trusts and relevant voluntary and other organisations. It covered possible changes to both the ‘preserved rights’ income support and the residential allowance.