Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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545. To ask the Minister for Health the number of meetings held by the interdepartmental-agency working group set up to oversee the implementation of recommendations contained in the review of the nursing homes support scheme; the dates of these meetings; if and when it will afford the Irish Farmers Association an opportunity to make an oral presentation to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6861/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group which was set up to progress the recommendations contained in the Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme has held three meetings to date. These meetings have taken place on 1 December 2015; 26 January 2016; and 5 April 2016. A fourth meeting has been scheduled to take place in May 2016, date to be confirmed. This Working Group is chaired by the Department of Health and comprises relevant officials from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners, and when relevant, the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Prior to the Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme taking place, submissions were sought from groups or bodies who wished to make a contribution to the Review. The Irish Farmers' Association made a submission in this context on which they expanded at a subsequent meeting with officials of the Department of Health. The Working Group will consider the submission already made by the Irish Farmers' Association. When the Group reaches the point of considering the relevant issues in detail, the need for any further presentation by the Irish Farmers' Association will be considered by the Working Group itself.

The Working Group is due to report on its progress to the Cabinet Committee on Health in June 2016.