(1) How many beds at the Allandale Aged Care Facility in Cessnock are licensed to accommodate people with (a) high; and (b) low care needs.

(2) What sum of Commonwealth funding did the Allandale Aged Care Facility receive in 1999-2000 for (a) high care; (b) low care; and (c) group home residents.

(3) Is the Hunter Area Health Service receiving the maximum possible sum of Commonwealth funding for each of the 336 high-care beds at Allandale; if not, why not.

(4) Has she or her department held discussions with the Hunter Area Health Service regarding proposals to sell the Allandale facility to the not-for-profit sector.

(5) Have the Hunter Area Health Service and her Department agreed to reduce the number of high-care beds at Allandale by 120; if so, to where will the high-care beds go.

(6) What mix of high care, low care and hostel beds has the Commonwealth agreed to fund under the Hunter Area Health Service's proposal to sell Allandale.

(7) How much more funding will a not-for-profit provider receive from the Commonwealth over a financial year period than the Hunter Area Health Service receives currently.

(8) Has the Commonwealth imposed any condition upon the Hunter Area Health Service which leaves it with no choice but to sell the Allandale Facility.

(9) Is the proposed sale likely to lead to a reduction in employment levels at Allandale.

(10) Has Allandale now achieved full Commonwealth accreditation; if so, was there any delay in awarding accreditation or were any particular care-standard problems identified throughout the assessment process.

(1) The approved number of places at Allandale Aged Care Facility is 336 high care places.

(2) Total funding for 1999/2000 was $10,551,857.91.

(3) Payments of Commonwealth subsidy are based on the assessed support needs (Residential Care Subsidy or “RCS” levels) of residents plus any eligible supplements, as set out by the service provider in monthly payments claim forms sent to the Department.

(4) The Department has attended discussions with the Hunter Area Health Service regarding their proposal to sell the Allandale facility to a non-government provider. No sale or transfer of aged care places may occur without the approval of the Secretary of the Department.

(5) I am advised that the Hunter Area Service applied in the 2000 Aged Care Approvals Round for restructuring assistance and the Department has allocated 35 residential low care places for the Allandale facility. Other questions should be referred to the Hunter Area Health Service.

(6) and (7)I am advised that the Department has not approved any proposal to transfer places from the Allandale facility.

(8) No

(9) This question should be referred to the Hunter Area Health Service.

(10) Allandale has been awarded the maximum three years accreditation.