Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Health and Children how she will make nursing home or similar accommodation available to older people at an affordable cost in view of the economic downturn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13463/09]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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The new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, will guarantee that nursing home care is affordable for those who need it. Individuals will contribute towards the cost of their care based on their ability to pay as determined by a financial assessment. The State will then meet the full balance of cost up to the agreed price for care. Under the new scheme, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) will agree prices for long-term care with private nursing home owners on behalf of the State. Where nursing homes agree prices for the purposes of the scheme with the NTPF, the NTPF will recommend the homes to the Health Service Executive for inclusion on the list of nursing homes 'approved' for the scheme. The NTPF will only agree a price if it is satisfied that it is reasonable and value for money.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 completed Committee Stage in the Dáil on 12th March 2009. It is the Minister's intention to progress the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas with a view to implementing the scheme in the second half of 2009. Unfortunately it is not possible to give a more specific timeframe at present. In the interim, individuals can also continue to apply for Nursing Home Subvention. The HSE has contracted an additional 235 beds in private nursing homes, of which 220 have been filled.