Written answers
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Department of Health and Children
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
8:00 pm
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the fair deal nursing home grant is payable from the date of application rather than from the date of approval in view of the fact that a large number of acute hospital beds are being occupied by persons who are awaiting approval under the fair deal scheme and cannot move until such time as the approval is received. [3595/10]
Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE's Guidelines on the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme state that, subject to overall resources, new entrants to nursing homes 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. It is not, therefore, the case that applicants will only qualify from the date of approval.
The HSE has indicated that the expected timelines for processing applications under the new Nursing Home Support Scheme and making determination regarding financial support will vary according to individual circumstances and complexities. However, on average, the following timelines are estimated:
Straightforward State Support Application 1-2 weeks.
Straightforward Nursing Home Loan Application 3-4 weeks.
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