Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is the case that carers who previously availed of the short-term respite care from the Health Service Executive no longer have an entitlement to this care due to the changes made under the fair deal scheme; if she will explain the statutory basis for withdrawing short-term respite care or if the policy has changed; and the reason for the change. [40308/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme only applies to long-term residential care in nursing homes. 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 and does not alter the current position in relation to such care.