Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the fair deal scheme; the current waiting time for approval; and if this scheme is fully funded up until year end 2011 [32350/11]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for Health the reason counties which previously were up to date with their applications for the fair deal scheme are being penalised to compensate for the counties which were not up to date with their fair deal scheme applications; when he envisages all fair deal applications will be up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32459/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 552 together.

In May of this year the Minister for Health was made aware of a potentially serious shortfall in the 2011 subhead for Long-term Residential Care. In response, the Minister asked for a full examination of the funding situation, to be conducted by the Department of Health and the HSE.

The examination identified a number of factors that are putting pressure on the overall budget for 2011. These include: an unexpected increase in the average length of stay for nursing home patients; a resultant higher net demand for nursing home places; and an increase in nursing home costs.

The processing of approvals for financial support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was suspended while the examination of funding was being carried out. However, the HSE has been issuing funding approvals again since 13 June. The HSE is continuing to process applications within the funding limits available to the scheme and in accordance with the legislation. Approvals are being issued to applicants in chronological order by date of determination. This ensures equity nationally. The HSE is operating a national placement list to facilitate this. There are approximately 800 people awaiting funding approval at present.

Almost 25,200 applications have been received since the scheme commenced. At end-September there were approximately 3,000 applications in progress. The HSE's National Service Plan 2011 sets a target of 4 weeks for complete applications to be processed. The HSE has indicated that this target is being met. However, a significant volume of applications are submitted without the necessary supporting documentation. This can create delays which are outside of the HSE's control.