Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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358. To ask the Minister for Health in situations where a hospital discharges a patient that requires full time nursing home care and where that need is accepted under the fair deal scheme but where the funding is not yet in place in the event of their family not having the funds, the options available to them; if changes to the scheme are being considered in that context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54889/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE makes every effort to ensure that individuals who qualify for financial support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme are provided with such support as expediently as possible. However, there is a set budget for the Scheme each year and the HSE must operate within it. The budget for the Scheme in 2013 is €974m.

The HSE operates a national placement list to enable it to remain within budget and to ensure equity of access to finding nationally. In addition, it tries to match the funding available for the Scheme to the level of demand by releasing funding on a weekly basis. At 3rd December there were a total of 123 applicants awaiting funding approval which represents a waiting period of less than one week.

Individuals who are awaiting funding approval can contact their local Area Manager's Office to discuss their circumstances and the options that may be available to them pending Nursing Homes Support Scheme funding becoming available. The provision of services must, however, be managed with due regard to available resources.

Finally, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is currently being reviewed. This review, which is expected to be completed in early 2014, will make recommendations for the future operation and management of the Scheme.