Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for approval for the fair deal scheme; the number who have been approved to date in 2011; when the backlog of claims will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38488/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE received 7,704 applications for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme between January and end-October 2011. In the same period, 9,153 applications (some of which would have been received in 2010) were processed to conclusion. There were just over 3,000 applications in progress at end-October. However, it should be noted that a significant volume of applications are submitted without the necessary supporting documentation. This can create delays which are outside of the HSE's control.

At end-October, there were 21,479 people in receipt of financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care. This includes people in public and contract beds, people in receipt of subvention and people in receipt of financial support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. A further 862 people had been allocated funding under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme but were not yet in payment. There were approximately 500 people on the placement list awaiting funding.