Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The fair deal scheme needs as much as it has. I do not know if it would be possible to transfer funds from the fair deal scheme to home help. What is being considered, it may be at consultation stage or it may have completed that, is to set up a scheme similar to fair deal for home help and home care packages. The fair deal scheme works very well. People who need a nursing home and are assessed as such can get a place in about four weeks. Part of the reason it works well is that it is a statutory scheme with a standard assessment across the country and involves those who can afford to do so making a contribution. It may well be the model for a statutory home help and home care scheme which would guarantee people the home help and home care they need within weeks, but may include a contribution from those who can afford it.

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