Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 112: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action he will take to ensure the operation of the nursing home subvention scheme, fair deal programme; if it is expected to ensure the on-going operation of the scheme; if legislation is likely to become necessary to meet any contingencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13205/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister for Health and Children has recently been made aware of a serious shortfall in the budget for Long-term Residential Care for this year. The budget is coming under pressure from, amongst other things, increases in overall costs and increases in net demand for long term care. Furthermore the HSE has advised that the Long-term Residential Care subhead is also funding services other than those covered by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. I should point out that we understand these other services, which include therapies and medications, are being provided to people in nursing homes. The Minister is currently seeking to ensure that only agreed costs are met from the Long-term Residential Care subhead.

The Minister has sought further information about the level of funding provided for, and the costs drivers impacting on the Long-term Residential Care subhead. The main priority at this stage is to establish what steps might be taken to allow more people to benefit from the scheme.

In the meantime, applications for financial support under the scheme will continue to be accepted and processed. However decisions to grant approval will be subject to the availability of funding.

A full examination of the funding situation is underway, conducted jointly by the Department of Health and the HSE.