Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Health the terms of reference, scope and duration of the review of the nursing home support fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24200/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Health if public consultation will form a part of the review of the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24206/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme was introduced in October 2009 with a commitment to review its operation after three years. The reason for allowing this period to elapse is to ensure that trends and statistics will be available in order to inform the work.

The review of the Scheme will look at, amongst other issues: · the ongoing sustainability of the scheme, · the relative cost of public versus private provision, · the effectiveness of current methods of negotiating price in private nursing homes and setting price in public nursing homes, and · the balance of funding between residential and community care.

The terms of reference for the review are being finalised at present. The Department of Health will be seeking tenders through the public procurement process for the carrying out of the review. This process takes approximately 4 months. It is also intended to carry out a public consultation over the summer to inform the review.

It is anticipated that the review itself will take approximately three months to complete. It is expected that the review will commence in the last quarter of this year and be completed in early 2013.