Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. I also congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Colm Burke, as I know the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, also does, on sitting here beside us answering questions on public health and drugs.

On the Deputy's question, voluntary organisations form an essential and integral part of the overall health and social care system. Historically, the voluntary sector was the first to provide hospital and social care to the poor and to the most vulnerable in Irish society. Voluntary long-term residential care centres are run by a variety of groups including registered charities, community groups and religious orders. Voluntary nursing homes providers are key players in the Irish long-term residential care sector, operating approximately 10% of centres and delivering approximately 9% of beds. This is a great opportunity to speak about the voluntary sector. We do not often get such an opportunity.

Last week, the Deputy and I had a meeting with two voluntary providers from the Clare area. It was a very positive meeting. There are different ways in which voluntary nursing homes can avail of additional funding. Voluntary and private nursing homes in the mid-west are currently tendering to provide step-down facilities to support the throughput in University Hospital Limerick. That is the first way. The other way is through a scheme I introduced earlier this year, the new capital nursing home resident safety improvement scheme, which has been open for applications since 2 February. The scheme was established to provide funding to eligible private and voluntary nursing homes towards structural works carried out. The closing date for applications to this scheme is 15 November. Importantly, it is backdated to 1 January 2020. I will revert to the Deputy with more information in my next contribution.

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