James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 to come before Dáil Éireann for Report Stage; when she expects the legislative process on the Bill to be completed; if she will confirm that the required funding is in place in 2009 to implement the proposed provisions of the Bill; the amount of funding which has been provided for 2009 and estimated for 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15878/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Minister envisages the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 commencing Report Stage in the Dáil as soon as possible. Thereafter, it is intended 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.

Budget 2009 provided €55 million for the implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme this year. As the Deputy is aware, in advance of the introduction of the scheme, a dedicated subhead for long-term residential care has been established (subhead B16). The total funding in the subhead for 2009 stands at €909 million. It is estimated that approximately €1 billion will be required for 2010.