Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health the way the nursing home support scheme is being funded; the amount that has been allocated to operate this fund; the number of applications that have been received to date; the number of applications that have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7165/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is funded from a dedicated subhead for long-term residential care (subhead B12) in the HSE Vote. Subhead B12 is the budget for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme albeit that transitional arrangements must also be facilitated from within the subhead, i.e. people in contract beds, people who choose to remain on subvention and people paying in-patient charges in public nursing homes. In 2011, there was €963m available for long-term residential care. Subhead B12 in the published Estimates for Public Services 2012 contains a total provision of €1,049,710 for long-term residential care. However, this figure includes an amount for ancillary costs associated with long-term residential care for older people.

The HSE received 9,323 applications for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme in 2011. In the same period, 10,671 applications (some of which would have been received in 2010) were processed to conclusion. This figure includes approximately 2,700 applications which were withdrawn by the applicant. There were just over 3,100 applications in progress at end-December. 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.