Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason there is no guideline for application processing times for the new fair deal scheme; the length of time applications are expected to take to process; if persons will be paid for the period of time while their applications are being processed; the reason no backlog is applicable for this scheme when the circumstances may mean that people are delayed in applying for it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39509/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE has indicated that the expected timelines for processing applications under the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme and making a determination regarding financial support will vary according to individual circumstances and complexities. However, on average, the following timelines are estimated (assuming that the submitted application is fully and correctly completed):

Straightforward State Support Application: 1-2 weeks

Straightforward Ancillary State Support Application: 3-4 weeks

It must be acknowledged that, in the initial months following the introduction of the scheme, the HSE will have to deal with a huge volume of applications from both existing residents and new entrants. However, this should not impact negatively on existing residents due to the safeguards provided within the primary legislation. The legislation provides that applicants to the scheme who were in nursing home care on the date the scheme commenced (27th October 2009) shall have their State support backdated to that date. Moreover, the HSE's Guidelines on the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme state that, subject to overall resources, people who enter nursing homes after the commencement of the scheme will have their financial support paid either from the date that the application was made or from date of admission to the nursing home, whichever is the later.