Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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435. To ask the Minister for Health the avenues available to support a person (details supplied) in receiving funding to pay a nursing home bill which accumulated over four weeks while awaiting fair deal approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4337/19]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, 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 Scheme covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:

- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;

- Bed and board;

- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of everyday living;

- Laundry service

The Scheme had a budget of €962 million for 2018, providing support to approximately 23,000 people by the end of the year. In order to manage the available funds within the budget throughout the year, a national placement list is operated by the HSE. Funding approvals issue to applicants in chronological order. State Support can only be paid from either the date that the application is approved, or the date of admission to the nursing home, whichever is the later.

In 2018 the time applicants to the Scheme spend on the placement list for funding did not exceed 4 weeks. This target has consistently been achieved since April 2015 and it is a significant reduction from the October 2014 wait time of 15 weeks. The target of 4 weeks for approval of funding remains a commitment in the Programme for Government.

In relation to the case raised by the Deputy I have asked the HSE to investigate the matter.