Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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625. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of the nursing home support scheme to the State for each of the years 2010 to 2015 and the expected cost in 2016; the projected cost for each year to 2030 based on known demographics and on the assumption that the terms of the scheme do not change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37677/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.

The gross funding, which includes client contributions under the Scheme, for the years 2010 to 2015 is as follows:

The gross budget for the Scheme in 2016 is €1,004.9 million, with a net budget (excluding income from clients) of €940 million. Expenditure of €921.5 million of the net budget is anticipated for 2016.

A number of factors may impact on future cost and demand for long-term residential care services, including social changes, possible new models of care for older people, and changes in population health status. Accurate long-term forecasts are accordingly difficult. However, high-level projections are possible, and as part of the review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, an analysis of the current NHSS population by age cohort, projected forward in line with CSO demographic projections, indicates that approximately 33,000 people will require support under the scheme by 2024. At present cost levels, this would imply a total annual net cost of approximately €1.3 billion by 2024.