Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the fair deal will apply to people who suffer from lifelong disabilities and require residential care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34661/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister announced on Monday that the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, will commence on the 27th October 2009. The scheme is a new system of financial support for individuals in public, voluntary and approved private nursing homes. The scheme is available to anyone assessed as needing long-term nursing home care regardless of their age. However, it does not cover long-term residential care in other settings.

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

1. be registered and subject to inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA),

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

3. hold a valid tax clearance certificate.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [34701/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister announced on Monday that the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will commence on the 27th October 2009.

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 when the scheme is introduced.

In addition, the new care representative appointment process commenced from the 5th October. This allows people to apply to the Circuit Court for appointment as a care representative where they wish to apply for the Nursing Home Loan on behalf of an applicant with reduced capacity. The individuals referred to by the Deputy should contact the HSE for further information at this stage. The number for the HSE's Infoline is 1850 24 1850.

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide the commencement date for the fair deal scheme. [34706/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister announced on Monday 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.

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 where they wish to apply for the Nursing Home Loan on behalf of an applicant with reduced capacity.

In addition, 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.