Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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709. To ask the Minister for Health if a funding review of a school (details supplied) will be carried out following a recent visit as there is a large deficit between the HSE funding and the very high level and excellence of care provided [24792/20]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been designated by the Minister for Health pursuant to Section 40 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 as a body authorised to negotiate with proprietors of non-HSE registered nursing homes to reach agreement in relation to the maximum price(s) that can be charged for the provision of long-term residential care services to NHSS residents.

As part of this function, the NTPF will enter into "Approved Nursing Home Agreements" with registered private and voluntary nursing homes to record the maximum price(s) that have been negotiated. Where, notwithstanding the best efforts of both parties, agreement is not reached through negotiation, the nursing home may elect by agreement, to enter a review process. The details of this process are set out on NTPF’s website www.ntpf.ie.

It will be appreciated that particulars of all such negotiations and reviews are a matter between the nursing home and the NTPF. Accordingly the NTPF does not discuss publicly the details of negotiations with individual nursing homes.

I understand that the St. John of God group have engaged with the NTPF in relation to both initial price negotiations and subsequent review process regarding St Joseph's. The NTPF has statutory independence and as Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, I have no role in NHSS price negotiations. I understand however, that engagement through the established mechanisms has occurred albeit within the limits imposed by COVID-19.

I understand that the HSE is in ongoing engagement with the St. John of God group in a broader sense regarding the financial pressures being experienced.