Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the Fair Deal scheme for nursing home subvention will be introduced. [1392/08]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the consultation that has taken place with relevant groups and organisations since the announcement of the postponement of the Fair Deal legislation; the consultation planned; the timeframe for introducing the legislation and implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1781/08]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the consultations that have taken place with interest groups regarding the proposed Fair Deal scheme for long term nursing home care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2061/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 331, 393 and 440 together.

Since the announcement of the new nursing home support scheme, A Fair Deal, the Department has met with the National Federation of Pensioners' Associations, the Irish Farmers Association, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and the Social Partners. The Department also attended the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament AGM at its request and participated in a workshop on the new scheme.

The Bill providing for the scheme is at a very advanced stage and is currently being finalised by the Office of the Attorney General. The Minister hopes to publish the Bill as soon as possible following Government approval.

On publication of the Bill, further engagement will take place with stakeholders on the details of the new scheme. This will take place under the auspices of Towards 2016. The subsequent presentation and passage of the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas will be a matter of priority for me and my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D.