Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will include respite care and respite grants in the new nursing home scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39960/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme aims to render long-term residential care affordable and anxiety-free and to ensure that no-one is forced to sell their home during their lifetime to pay for such care. The definition of "long-term residential care services" stipulates that the care services must be provided for a period of not less than 30 days or periods in the aggregate amounting to not less that 30 days within a period of 12 consecutive months.

The scheme does not apply to individuals who enter nursing homes on a short-term basis for respite or convalescence.