Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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1328. To ask the Minister for Health if he will commit to immediate action on the fair deal pricing review, releasing the review within 100 days of Government formation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46310/24]

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health published a review of the NTPF pricing system in June 2021 and continues to work on bringing forward the recommendations that emerged from this review.

A steering group has been established to oversee the delivery of the recommendations; this group has met on a regular basis since publication of the review. The group made four recommendations:

•Recommendation 1: formal assessment of using a formulaic approach in the pricing system as set out in Section 4 of the Report.

•Recommendation 2: formal assessment of amending the approach to the assessment of “Local Market Price” to reflect prices within other nursing homes within a certain distance of the nursing home rather than within the same county.

•Recommendation 3: NTPF to engage with nursing homes and their representatives in relation to enhancing the internal NTPF Review process.

•Recommendation 4: amending the process for allowing for high dependency residents when the necessary systems are in place

The delivery of recommendations 1-3 primarily sit with the NTPF. As per the recommendations of the review, the NTPF is reporting periodically to the steering group on progress in implementing the recommendations. It is recognised, however, that recommendation 4 has dependencies going well beyond the scope of the pricing review. This recommendation is therefore being addressed within the broader context of the reform of older persons' services, with appropriate links established between the pricing review steering group (including shared membership) to ensure that appropriate links are made between this recommendation and the others.

The terms of reference for the group include a final report to be submitted to ministers, reporting on delivery of the four recommendations and making any further recommendations as appropriate. It is my understanding that this report is at an advanced stage and will be published in early 2025.

A decision on the next steps and further action will be made following analysis and review of the report findings.

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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1329. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure equal access for all nursing home residents, private and public to primary care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46311/24]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible

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