Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 585: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she plans to discontinue the nursing home subvention scheme, to change the eligibility criteria for receiving nursing home subvention or change the scheme in any way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34555/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister announced yesterday that the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme will be replaced by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, on the 27th October 2009. From this date onwards, no new applications for nursing home subvention will be processed. However, it is important to note that anyone currently in receipt of subvention can choose to retain their current arrangements or can opt to transfer to the new scheme.

Given that the subvention scheme will be replaced (for new applicants) by the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, there are no plans to alter the terms or criteria of the subvention scheme for existing residents in any way. The new Nursing Homes Support Scheme is a scheme of financial support for anyone in need of nursing home care. The application form and information booklet for the scheme are now available to the public and may be obtained from the HSE.