Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the commitment she gave to introduce the fair deal programme will be implemented; the action that will be taken in relation to the funding that was provided for this scheme to commence in the interim; if it is being diverted to alternative uses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26433/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill providing for the Fair Deal scheme is being finalised by the Office of the Attorney General at present. The legislation is complex and requires careful drafting in order to ensure that the interests of older people requiring residential care are fully protected.

My colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, intends to publish the Bill as soon as possible following finalisation by the Attorney General and Government approval, and to bring the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas thereafter. As the timeframe for bringing the legislation through both Houses is contingent upon finalisation of the Bill, a more definitive answer is not possible at this stage.

The Minister has considered carefully the question of allowing some of the funding allocated for Fair Deal to be used for nursing home subvention and her officials are now discussing this matter with the Department of Finance. As soon as a decision is reached, it will be announced. However, it should be borne in mind that the Government already allocated additional funding of €20 million for Nursing Home Subvention in 2006 and Budget 2007 provided a further €85 million — this is an increase of €105 million in nursing home subvention in two years.