John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that a hospital (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive a budget for the ongoing care of long-stay patients, separate to funding which may be payable through the fair deal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37873/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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From the 27th October onwards, the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, will be the single system of support for all new entrants to long-term residential care. Budget 2009 provided €55 million for the introduction of the new Scheme this year.

In advance of the introduction of the scheme, a dedicated subhead for long-term residential care was established within the Health Service Executive's Vote (Subhead B16 in Vote 40). The total funding in Subhead B16 currently stands at €909 million. This represents the total State funding available for long-term residential care in 2009.

From the 27th October onwards, Subhead B16 will be dedicated in its entirety to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal. However, commitments made to existing residents in nursing homes must also be honoured. Accordingly, arrangements in respect of these existing residents, including those in the public nursing home referred to by the Deputy, will be funded from Subhead B16 in the immediate transition phase of the scheme. Apart from these transition phase commitments, all other funding within the subhead will be used to support residents qualifying under the Fair Deal scheme.

Finally, it should be noted that a person's entitlement to services under any other statutory schemes, such as the medical card scheme, remains unaffected by the introduction of the Fair Deal.