James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to increase funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund on an annual basis over the lifetime of the Government to secure long-term care, step down beds and rehabilitation services for patients; if the Government ring-fenced funding of €20 million for this purpose as stated in the Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26794/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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A key Government initiative in the area of rehabilitation is the commitment by the Department of Health & Children and the HSE to develop a national strategy for the provision of medical rehabilitation services. A number of issues will be considered as part of this including an assessment of the need, the structure and location of facilities and services, the nature of the rehabilitation facilities, that is, whether they should be hospital type, step down, or preparation for independent living. I am happy to say that preliminary meetings in relation to this strategy will take place in the coming weeks.

The commitment to provide funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to secure rehabilitation services would have to be considered in the context of the strategy.

With regard to long-term care, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the position. Under the proposed new Nursing Home Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, the NTPF will have responsibility for agreeing prices for long-term residential care with private nursing home owners for the purposes of the scheme. However, HSE will remain the budget-holders for the scheme.