Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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189. To ask the Minister for Health when the findings of the review of the fair deal scheme to assess its applicability to other sectors such as the disability and mental health residential sectors will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48735/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced, 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 Home 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.

The Review of the Scheme which is currently underway will consider the future funding and sustainability of the Scheme as well as how community and residential services are balanced. It is expected that the Review will be completed in the coming months when a report will be made publicly available.