Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I would certainly like to think that the nursing home operators and providers acknowledge the supports they have received to date. I believe the nub of the issue is money. We must acknowledge that the numerous costs being absorbed by private nursing homes are not applicable to public facilities. These include, for example: capital costs; commercial rates; insurance; and education and training.

I agree that the fair deal scheme has been a lifeline for families. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, must be credited for her work early in the lifetime of this Government in bringing to fruition the legislation providing for the three-year cap on assets, specifically for family farms and family businesses. At the heart of the fair deal scheme is the weekly payment from the HSE to public and private nursing homes, which is paid on a per patient rate. Five years ago, the HSE was paying the publicly run and funded St. Joseph's in Longford €1,912 per week while Laurel Lodge, a short distance down the road and one of the aforementioned five privately run nursing homes, was receiving just €930 per week. That is a difference of €982 per week. Five years on and the payments are increasing nominally but, alas, the gap between what is paid to the private and publicly run nursing homes has increased significantly. Now the public nursing home gets just over €2,000 per week while Laurel Lodge remains more than 100% off that rate at just over €1,000 per week.

Private nursing home operators are worried and genuinely concerned. Staff are stressed and anxious. Most worrying is the fallout from this, which is having consequences for the many families who are desperately trying to ensure the best possible care for their relatives in their twilight years. I cannot comprehend the differences in the payments being paid to the public and private nursing homes. I understand and expect that the HSE and the Minister of State's office will tell me that additional services are being provided in public nursing homes, but I am not convinced. I see no discernible difference in the level of care provided. As a matter of urgency we must review how we fund our private nursing homes.

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