Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that information. She claimed there will be a €10 million increase for the fair deal scheme which represents a 1% increase in its overall budget of €1 billion. That is insignificant. I would not even elevate it to a drop in the ocean as it will have no effect. The Minister of State stated it is intended to get the average waiting time down from 15 weeks to 11 weeks. I know many people who were on the waiting list for funding for 20 weeks. When they were finally approved for funding, they had to wait another 20 weeks before a cheque actually arrived to pay for the fair deal scheme. Despite the 1% increase in funding in 2015, we will still be 400 beds short compared to what was available in 2013. The Minister of State must address in her review the issue of the HSE's own community nursing homes.

I am also concerned that she said this review will require legislation. Will we even get to it in the life of this Government?

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