Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the Nursing Home Support Scheme Bill; the reason the fair deal for nursing home care was not introduced as planned on 1 January 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2634/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the fair deal legislation will be published; when it will be debated in Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2737/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 36 together.

The Fair Deal scheme could not be introduced on 1 January 2008 because the legislation to underpin the scheme was not in place. The Bill providing for the scheme is at a very advanced stage and is being finalised by the Office of the Attorney General at present. It is intended 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 of Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D.