Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government makes various commitments to ensure the welfare and well-being of older people. Adequate State support for nursing homes is crucial in ensuring the security of the ageing population. Two weeks ago I met the CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland and a number of representatives of nursing homes in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, including Mooncoin nursing home, Brookhaven nursing home in Ballyragget and Drakelands nursing home in Kilkenny. They seek the immediate publication of the review of the system for setting nursing home prices under the nursing home support scheme. In response to a parliamentary question in December I was informed that the National Treatment Purchase Fund was close to completing the report and aimed to have a draft for the steering group before year end. Two weeks ago I was disappointed to receive an identical response to a further parliamentary question. It appears no progress has been made. Will the Minister of State explain the reason publication of this crucial report is being handled at a snail's pace? Nursing Homes Ireland has been seeking it for some time. It wants equality in the system between public and private nursing homes.

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