Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which applicants under the fair deal scheme have been approved or are on a waiting list; the number of applications approved to date; the number still pending if any; when he expects the need to be met in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26628/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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By end-July 2011, approximately 23,800 applications for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme had been received since the scheme commenced in October 2009. Of these, over 18,700 had been processed, almost 1,800 had been withdrawn and there were approximately 3,250 applications in progress.

The processing of approvals for financial support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was suspended for a month from May to June while an examination of funding was being carried out. However, the HSE has been issuing funding approvals again since the 13th June. Approximately 2,600 people have been allocated funding since that date. The HSE is continuing to process applications within the funding limits available to the scheme and in accordance with the legislation. There are approximately 500 people awaiting funding approval at present.

By the end of the year, the HSE intends that any delays in awarding funding will be eliminated. The situation will be closely monitored to ensure that funding is allocated as soon as it becomes available. It is anticipated that any delays will be resolved in the final quarter of 2011.