Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 588: To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that are living in nursing homes on a long term basis; the number of these persons who are aged under 65 years; the number who are between 65 to 70 years; the number who are over 70 years; the number of these who are on the nursing home support scheme, fair deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30860/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Department of Health carries out a survey of long-stay units each year. Each long-stay unit (public, private and voluntary) is sent a questionnaire and the responses are collated by the Department. The aim of the survey is to provide statistics on the number of beds available for long-term care, how these beds are used and the types of residents who occupy these beds. The results of the surveys are used to prepare the Long-Stay Activity Statistics Reports which are published on the Department's website. The Long-Stay Activity Statistics for 2010 (the most recent year available) reported that about 6% of those in long-term residential care were under 65 years of age, 3.5% were between 65 and 69 years of age and 90.4% were 70 years and older.The Deputy should be mindful that these are self reported survey results and the response rate for 2010 was 80% of long-stay units.