Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the money set aside for the implementation of the Fair Deal scheme for long-term residential care for older people for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010; if there has been a change in the scheduling of the roll-out of this scheme; if such re-scheduling is currently under consideration; when she will introduce the necessary legislation for the roll-out of this scheme; her views on the utilisation of Fair Deal moneys allocated in Budget 2008 but not spent for the alleviation of suffering for those in long-term residential care during the interim period until the relevant legislation can be passed and the scheme fully rolled out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28291/08]

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 on enactment of the legislation is not possible at this stage.

Once the legislation is enacted and the necessary legal and administrative arrangements are in place, the scheme will be introduced.

Finally, an Exchequer budget of €920 million has been identified for purposes of meeting the costs associated with the nursing home support scheme in its first three years. This budget includes additional funding of €117 million provided in 2007 and a further €110 million pledged in Budget 2008. My colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, and I are conscious of the effect that the unavoidable and unforeseen delays in implementing Fair Deal are causing to some older people and their families. To date, €13 million has been allocated from the additional monies provided in Budget 2008 for the provision of 200 contract beds. Approval has also been given to HSE to utilise a further €12 million in meeting costs associated with nursing home subventions and existing contract beds.