Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health if the forthcoming review of fair deal will remove the current framework of price capping, thus ensuring the private and voluntary nursing home sector will address the significant growth in demand for long-term residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1239/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is a necessary feature of the Scheme due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above a person's contribution.

The Terms of Reference for the review of the Scheme include an examination of the overall cost of long-term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the effectiveness of the current methods of negotiating/setting prices. The Deputy will be aware that a public consultation to inform the review was concluded in July 2012. A summary report of the submissions received was published on the Department's website in December. The Department will shortly be seeking tenders through the public procurement process for the carrying out of the review. It will progress within the constraints of available staff and other priorities. It is envisaged that the review will be completed in 2013.

As the Scheme is statutory based, the implementation of any recommendations arising from the review may require significant amendments to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009.