Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious of the financial challenges faced by the nursing home sector but this year, the budget will be €1.5 billion to support 22,700 people under the fair deal scheme. There was an additional €45 million provided last year to increase the rates of fair deal. Many of the nursing homes which renegotiated saw an uplift, in rural areas of between 8% and 9% and in urban areas of between 6% and 7%. That increase is continuing this year. Both nursing homes we spoke to last week were tied into a three-year plan but are renegotiating so should see an uplift in what they are getting.

I take on board the question the Deputy raised. I took it seriously and we have already started exploring mechanisms. It is important to say the Department of Health is obliged to deliver policies underpinned by the principles of equity of access to related services or supports. I am bound by that code.

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