Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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209. To ask the Minister for Health if he sees an urgent requirement for a transparent commissioning framework to support investment to meet significant increase in demand for long term residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29503/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In order to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Scheme all private nursing homes, and voluntary nursing homes which previously received funding for long-term residential care under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, must negotiate and agree a price for the cost of long-term nursing home care with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). This is necessary due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above individuals' contributions.

The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, it must ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. The NTPF negotiates with each nursing home individually and may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process.

As the Deputy is aware the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is currently being reviewed. One of the terms of reference of the review is 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. Work will continue on the review in the coming months with a view to completion by end 2013/early 2014.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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210. To ask the Minister for Health if he will establish a forum on long term residential care to discuss and plan the future of long term residential care here and the broader care requirements of an aging society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29504/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 674 of 28 May 2013.