Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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1009. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the costs of the fair deal scheme in 2017 or 2018; if the scheme can be expanded to include care being provided in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14199/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for people who require long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. At the moment there are no plans to reduce the budget of the NHSS.

It is the Government's view that we need a standalone funding scheme designed for home care that recognises its particular characteristics together with regulation of home care services. However, a significant amount of detailed preparation needs to be done before final decisions are taken on the form of a home care scheme and the regulation of these services. This is a priority for me and I have committed to the initiation of a public consultation on the future funding and regulation of home care in the coming months.