Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when persons (details supplied) in County Roscommon will be considered for the new nursing home scheme. [45911/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 was published on 9 October and the Minister introduced it at Second Stage in the Dáil on 13 November. It is intended to progress the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas with a view to implementing the scheme in 2009.

Only after the legislation has been enacted, and the scheme commenced, can the Health Service Executive begin to consider applications under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Existing nursing home residents in public or approved private nursing homes, and new entrants to public and approved private nursing homes, will be able to apply for State support.

In order to become approved for the purposes of the scheme, a private nursing home must:

(a) be registered under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 at present and, in the future, under the Health Act 2007 (once the relevant sections are commenced),

(b) have agreed a price for the purposes of the scheme with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF),

(c) hold a valid tax clearance certificate.