Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 440: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the nursing homes support scheme, a fair deal, which was to be introduced in July 2009; when same will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33298/09]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 508: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 16 September 2009, if the implementation of new charges on long-term stay patients in public nursing homes has been introduced at this stage under the fair deal scheme. [33746/09]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 572: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009 will come into operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34473/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 440, 464, 508 and 572, together.

The Minister announced yesterday that the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will commence on the 27th October 2009. The legislation providing for the scheme was signed into law on the 1st July 2009. Certain sections of the Act were commenced on the 3rd July to enable the National Treatment Purchase Fund to immediately begin price negotiations with private nursing homes. This work, which must be completed before the scheme can commence, is almost concluded.

The Minster is aware of the effect of the delay in introducing the new scheme on nursing home residents and is anxious to ensure that they benefit from the scheme as soon as possible. For this reason, she commenced two particular elements of the legislation which will allow people to prepare in advance so that they are ready to apply on the 27th October.

Firstly, as of the 5th October, the new care representative appointment process has commenced. This allows people to apply to the Circuit Court for appointment as a care representative from that date where they wish to apply for the Nursing Home Loan on behalf of an applicant with reduced capacity.

In addition, the Minister signed an order enabling the HSE to prescribe forms for the purposes of the scheme. The application form and information booklet for the scheme are now available to the public and may be obtained from the HSE. This will enable people to familiarise themselves with the application form and process, gather necessary information and generally prepare themselves so that they are ready to apply on the 27th October when the scheme is introduced.