Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 973: To ask the Minister for Health when the next funding will be made available for the fair deal nursing home scheme in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23868/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Almost 1,700 people have been allocated funding under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme since the 13th June. The HSE is continuing to process applications within the funding limits available to the scheme and in accordance with the legislation.

The HSE intends to deal with those currently awaiting approval within the next 6 weeks.

By the end of the year, the HSE intends that any delays in awarding funding will be eliminated. The situation will be closely monitored to ensure that funding is allocated as soon as it becomes available. It is anticipated that any delays will be resolved in the final quarter of 2011.

The legislation requires the HSE to deal with applications in chronological order nationally, not by County. In addition, the legislation encompasses a principle of patient choice, i.e. individuals choose which nursing home they want to go to, subject to the availability of a bed and the ability of the nursing home to meet the individual's particular care needs.