Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Health if nursing home fees are set by the National Treatment Purchase Fund; if so, the considerations taken into account to determine the fees; and if so whether they take into account the standard of care offered in the nursing homes [17700/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In order to become an 'Approved Nursing Home' for the purposes of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, a private or voluntary nursing home must:

be registered under the Health Act 2007,

have agreed a price for the purposes of the scheme with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), and

hold a valid tax clearance certificate.

The NTPF has statutory responsibility for the negotiation of the price for the cost of care in private and voluntary nursing homes. The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function. The NTPF may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes and has particular responsibility to ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. The Minister for Health recently instructed the NTPF to renegotiate with nursing homes with a view to achieving price decreases because the increases agreed over the last number of months are not sustainable.

Under the Health Act 2007 statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), for the independent inspection and registration of certain categories of designated centres. This includes residential care settings for older people. Since the 1st July 2009 all nursing homes (public, private and voluntary) are registered under the Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, as amended, by the Chief Inspector. All nursing homes are inspected under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, as amended, and must meet the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.

All nursing homes are subject to the same care standards in relation to quality and safety. The Chief Inspector has the power to refuse to register, attach conditions to a registration or cancel the registration of a designated centre in the event of non-compliance with the regulations or the standards.