Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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679. To ask the Minister for Health when he will publish the review of the fair deal pricing mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30903/18]

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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680. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an independent appeals process under the fair deal scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30904/18]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 680 together.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means 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 Report of the NHSS Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of the pricing mechanism used by the NTPF, with a view to:

- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden  for providers;

- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as  possible; and

- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.

The terms of reference for the review of the pricing mechanism also includes consideration of the appeals mechanism available to nursing homes.

A steering group was established to oversee this review, chaired by the NTPF and including representatives from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The NTPF are close to completing the review and will bring a draft of report to the steering group shortly.