Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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324. To ask the Minister for Health the measures that are being introduced to ensure that the fee payable for nursing home resident care recognises the extraordinary increase in costs being incurred (details supplied). [46480/22]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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325. To ask the Minister for Health the immediate measures that will be implemented to stem the closure of small nursing homes (details supplied). [46481/22]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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326. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the recent pattern of closure of smaller nursing homes; and his further views on whether the loss of these nursing homes within communities are of particular concern for his Department and the Government with regard to the care options available to persons. [46482/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 to 326, inclusive, together.

I am acutely aware of the specific challenges faced by the nursing home sector related to price inflation and increased energy costs. I am currently working on proposals to support smaller and voluntary nursing homes in relation to the specific challenges they are experiencing.

I engage consistently on an ongoing basis with Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), the representative organisation for private and voluntary nursing homes. I have met directly with NHI and updated them in detail on progress being made in relation to this matter. I have also met with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to request that they consider the matter alongside departmental officials. I have visited a number of nursing homes to discuss this issue with management of both public and private/voluntary nursing units. It is imperative that nursing homes manage potential cost pressures in line with their regulatory and contractual responsibilities, maintaining their quality of care so that residents’ lived experience and comfort is not affected.

Funding to support people to access services in the sector continues to be provided in line with the long-established statutory mechanisms under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. This is the mechanism established by the Oireachtas to provide for the processes relating to funding under the NHSS and the negotiation of prices for services for private and voluntary providers with the designated State agency, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Maximum prices for individual nursing homes are agreed with the NTPF following negotiations and based on the NTPF’s cost criteria. These criteria include:

- Costs reasonably incurred by the nursing home- Local market prices- Historic prices- Overall budgetary capacity

The NTPF carry out this role independently under the NHSS Act 2009 and there is no role for Ministers or the Department in these negotiations. The Department continues to work with the NTPF to take forward the recommended actions that emerged from the NTPF pricing review, as well as taking forward the nine recommendations of the Value for Money Review on Nursing Home Costs published last December.

I would also like to highlight the other supports provided to the private and voluntary nursing home sector over the course of the pandemic. As you are aware, the COVID-19 Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme, also known as TAPS, has been in place since the start of the pandemic. Over €144 million has been made available to date under the scheme. The outbreak assistance element of the scheme is still in payment, having been extended up to September 2022. In addition to TAPS, direct support has been provided by the HSE to private nursing homes in many areas, including the provision of PPE, serial testing and support with staffing. In response to the strategic workforce challenges in the nursing home and home care sector, a Cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group has been established. The Group is working to a tight timeline and is committed to providing a set of recommendations by September 2022.

Given the importance of nursing homes and the NHSS to the wider health and social care system - with a budget of over €1 billion, and over 22,000 residents supported - it is essential that policy measures are examined with due care in order to ensure the government's objectives are delivered and avoid unintended consequences. I hope to be in a position to update sector representatives as soon as possible.