Written answers
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Department of Health
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
9:00 pm
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 569: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33382/11]
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is a system of financial support for individuals who require long-term nursing home care and applies to people entering public, private and voluntary nursing home care. Since the scheme commenced over 25,000 applications have been received and approximately 22,155 people are in receipt of financial support towards the cost of long-term nursing care at present. The total baseline funding for long-term residential care is €963 million. Applications are processed in accordance with the legislation and within the funding limits available to the scheme. 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. Currently funding is being released by the HSE on a weekly basis.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is due for formal review commencing in 2012. The review will look at the ongoing sustainability of the scheme, the relative costs of public versus private provision and the balance of funding between residential and community care.
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