John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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540. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a legislative barrier preventing the temporary postponement of the taking up of the fair deal package by those who have successfully completed the application process but whose medical condition may have improved enough to allow them to live at home longer than previously anticipated, without them having to restart the process in its entirety again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49553/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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There is no legislative barrier preventing an applicant from postponing a place in a nursing home under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. However, the HSE does try to accommodate, as far as possible, applicants who make an effort to remain at home rather than go into long-term residential care. Generally a funding approval will be kept open for 6 months provided contact with the local Nursing Homes Support Office is maintained throughout this period.