Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will address the situation whereby the families of those in nursing homes under the fair deal scheme are required to cover the costs of basics such as pads, devices and chiropody when many are on limited incomes themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12421/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, provides financial support in respect of the cost of long-term residential care. The services which fall within the scope of long-term residential care are:

nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,

bed and board,

basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and

laundry service.

Incontinence wear is provided free of charge by the HSE to all Fair Deal residents within approved nursing homes. A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme, is unaffected by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. In other words, a person can continue to receive goods and services in accordance with the terms of these other schemes regardless of whether they are in a private nursing home or elsewhere.

A person who avails of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme should not be charged any additional fee over and above this agreed price, except where he or she chooses to obtain additional services over and above long-term residential care services, for example, hairdressing or the delivery of daily newspapers. Finally, the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 specify that the registered provider shall agree a contract with the resident within one month of their admission. The contract must include details of the services to be provided for that resident and the fees to be charged. A person should not be charged fees which are not set out in the contract.