Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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650. To ask the Minister for Health if the fair deal scheme is under review; if so, when he will have a report on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16540/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was introduced, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Terms of Reference for the review are: Taking account of Government policy, demographic trends and the fiscal situation. 1. To examine the on-going sustainability of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. 2. To examine 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. 3. Having regard to 1. and 2. above, to consider the balance of funding between long-term residential care and community based services. 4. To consider the extension of the scheme to community based services and to other sectors (Disability and Mental Health), and. 5. To make recommendations for the future operation and management of the scheme. Work on the review is on-going. It is expected that the review will be completed in the coming months and the report will then be made publicly available.