Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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609. To ask the Minister for Health the reason, in relation to the nursing home support scheme, the contribution of the State is being assessed for private or voluntary nursing homes, with the resident paying the balance while in the public homes the State pays the bill in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17661/14]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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610. To ask the Minister for Health the reason, in private nursing homes, residents are expected to pay for excesses when the same services are fully covered in a public home; if this is against the basic principal of the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17662/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 610 together.

All residents under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme make a contribution towards the cost of their care based on their means. This applies irrespective of whether the nursing home is public, private or voluntary.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme provides financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care services in nursing homes. The Scheme covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care, which are:-

- nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,

- bed and board,

- basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and

- laundry service.

A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme, is unaffected by participation in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme or residence in a nursing home. Incontinence wear, where required, is provided free of charge by the HSE to all Nursing Homes Support Scheme residents that possess a Medical Card.

Part 8 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract with each resident within one month of their admission. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should not be charged fees which are not set out in the contract.