Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. My adviser was present at the briefing yesterday. I was not able to attend due to other meetings outside. This year, the budget for fair deal is €1.5 billion. That is more than my mental health budget. It is more than the amount of money that is provided for the whole South/South West Hospital Group. It is one-twentieth of the entire health budget to support 22,500 people. I have to make sure that the budget last from 1 January until 31 December. Any nursing home that is currently renegotiating its deal has seen an uplift of between 6% and 7%. That is a fact. I have also extended the temporary inflation payment scheme, TIPS, a €10 million fund to support nursing homes since 1 July last year to the end of June this year in tackling inflationary costs. There is €5,250 available for per month for nursing homes, but the average drawdown of 81% of nursing homes is €2,800. I will continue to invest in the sector. However, we at the same time we have to be cognisant of the fact that I have a budget and have to adhere to it.

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