Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there will be a standardisation of top-up and enhanced nursing home subventions across the country and an equality of rights for patients in nursing homes who have medical cards in the context of the proposed fair deal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29967/07]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2006 the Minister announced that the subvention scheme would be replaced by a new nursing home support scheme — A Fair Deal. It is intended to have the legislation for the scheme in place by 1 January 2008.

This scheme will apply to everyone who needs nursing home care, whether a person holds a medical card or not. Most older people in long-term care already have medical cards since they are 70 years and older.

The proposed new scheme aims to remedy the inequities that exist in the current system. At present, people face greatly different costs depending on whether they are in public or private nursing homes. In addition, individual contributions in public places are based on a flat rate regardless of an individual's wealth, whereas State support for individuals in private places is based on means testing. This means that many people in private nursing homes get no support, and even with subvention, people can face costs they cannot afford. The result is that some people are forced to sell or mortgage their homes to pay for care costs.

In contrast, the new nursing home support scheme will ensure that long-term residential care is affordable for all who need it. Contributions during a person's life will be affordable and they will not have to sell or mortgage their house to meet the contribution. Furthermore, a person's family will not have to contribute towards the cost of their care.

The new scheme will be based on national standard processes, ensuring that people with the same means contribute the same amount towards their care regardless of whether they are in a public or private nursing home and regardless of where they live.