Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Health if he has approved changes in the operation of the nursing home support scheme whereby approval for support under the scheme will no longer be back dated and costs covered for those who have been in nursing homes while their applications are pending, a change entailing significant costs for them and their families; if he will reverse this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29449/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Minister for Health has agreed to an amendment to the HSE's National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The amendment was agreed subject to assurances from the HSE that:

individuals with complex cases will not be disadvantaged,

average processing times for complete applications should not exceed 4-6 weeks,

geographical location will not disadvantage applicants, and

acute hospitals will not be detrimentally affected, subject to the scheme being operated within the financial resources allocated.

The HSE's Guidelines now state that, subject to overall resources, people who enter nursing homes will have their financial support paid either from the date that the application is approved, or date of admission to the nursing home, whichever is the later. It should be noted that the amendment will have no retrospective effect, will be reviewed in one year and will only apply to applications received after the 1st October 2011.