Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 614: To ask the Minister for Health the way he intends to fund long-term care for older persons within his plans for universal health care as contained within the Programme for Government. [3365/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to fundamental reform of the health system. This will see the delivery of a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance, which will ensure equal access to care based on need, not on ability to pay. The universal health insurance system will be underpinned by the principle of social solidarity. Every citizen will have a choice of insurer and will have equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services.

It is not envisaged that the universal health insurance system will have a role in funding long term care for older persons. The Programme for Government commits to ongoing investment in the supply of more and better care for older people. There is also a commitment to review the Fair Deal system of financing nursing home care in order to develop a secure and equitable system of financing for community and long-term care which supports older people to stay in their homes.

The integration of care across all settings will be the responsibility of an Integrated Care Agency, established under the aegis of the Minister. The agency will oversee the flow of centrally-funded resources between the different arms of the system so that there are incentives for care to occur in the best setting.