Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4489/07]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The start date for the new nursing home support scheme — A Fair Deal — is 1 January, 2008. This is because primary legislation must be passed in order for the scheme to commence. The Department is currently working on preparing the Heads of the Bill.

In the interim, the Minister announced an initiative to make the existing subvention scheme fairer. The standard subvention has been increased to a maximum of €300 a week. In addition, the HSE may pay an enhanced subvention to people who cannot afford to meet the cost of care. An extra €30 million has been provided in 2007 for this purpose.

In relation to the individual concerned, operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.