Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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987. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to allow existing persons on the fair deal scheme to be able to move back to their own homes; when the plans will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19989/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is a scheme of financial support towards the cost of long term residential care. Residents make a contribution towards the cost of their care based on their means and the State pays the balance. In order to avail of support under the scheme a person must be assessed as needing long term residential care. However, Government policy is to support older people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

In this regard, the Department of Health is currently engaged in a detailed process to determine what type of home care scheme is best for Ireland, in relation to both regulation and funding.

As an initial step in this process, the Department commissioned the Health Research Board to undertake an evidence review of the home care systems that are in place in four other European countries. This review was published on 11 April.

The Review will help us to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions and will inform the debate and future consideration of approaches to formal home care financing and regulation here in Ireland.

Another important step in this process is a public consultation process which I will be launching at the end of May. The purpose of this consultation is to allow all those who have views on this topic to have their say, including older people themselves, their families, and healthcare workers.