Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding Baltinglass Hospital, County Wicklow; if she will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40128/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, commenced on the 27th October 2009. The Fair Deal is now the single system for entry to public, private and voluntary long-term nursing home care for individuals who wish to avail of State support.

The objectives of the new scheme are to equalise State support for public and private long-term care, to render private long-term care affordable and anxiety-free, and to ensure that no-one has to sell their home during their lifetime to pay for their care. The central principle of the scheme is that each person makes a contribution towards their nursing home costs based on their ability to pay and then has the balance of their care costs met by the State regardless of whether they are in a public, private or voluntary nursing home. Applicants to the scheme will be furnished with a list of public, voluntary and approved private nursing homes and can choose care in any nursing home on the list. However, in order for financial support to be provided, the nursing home must have a place for them and it must be able to cater for their particular care needs. Full information on the scheme is available on both the Department and HSE websites.

Individuals who are on waiting lists for public nursing homes should apply under the scheme if they require State support. It should be noted that, in accordance with the terms of the scheme, these individuals can choose care in any nursing home which qualifies for the scheme.

The final element of the Deputy's question is a service matter and I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply.