Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 372: To ask the Minister for Health the percentage of persons at any given time who are in nursing homes but are capable of independent living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16303/11]

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

On the 13 May 2011 there were 22,277 people in receipt of support from the State towards long-term residential care. Of these, almost 12,800 people were in receipt of financial support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme encompasses a Care Needs Assessment which identifies whether the individual has sufficiently high care needs to warrant nursing home care or whether their care needs can be met in the community. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that long-term nursing home care is the most appropriate option for that particular individual. The Care Needs Assessment is carried out by appropriate healthcare professionals appointed by the HSE. An assessment may be completed in a hospital or community setting and includes consideration of the following:

the individual's ability to carry out the activities of daily living, e.g. bathing, shopping, dressing,

the medical, health and personal social services being provided to the person or available to the individual at the time of the assessment and generally,

the family and community support available to the individual, and

the individual's wishes and preferences.

It is not possible, based on the information available, to estimate with any degree of certainty the percentage of people in nursing homes prior to the introduction of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme who may have been capable of independent living.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 373: To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken by the Health Service Executive to ensure appropriate oversight at a nursing home (details supplied) in view of an inspection report undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority in 2010. [16312/11]

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

The Deputy's question refers to a matter that is currently subject to court proceedings. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment at this time.