Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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184. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade or change the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11116/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015.

The Review included a general examination of the operation of the Scheme, as well as the balance between residential care and care in the community. A number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies.

In this regard, an Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Review. These recommendations include the implementation of administrative reforms to the Scheme, and a review by the National Treatment Purchase Fund of the pricing system for private long-term residential care facilities.

The Working Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners and, when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This Group is due to report on progress to the Cabinet Committee on Health in June 2016.

However, there are no plans to change the level of contributions made by participants in the Scheme towards their cost of care, and this is not part of the Working Group's remit.