Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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617. To ask the Minister for Health if supports will be made available to move people with dementia to nursing homes closer to their families; even if it is outside their catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53289/25]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The selection of a nursing home of preference is a matter determined by the applicant and/or their respective families and there are currently no supports available outside of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS). The transfer of residents from one nursing home to another does not fall within scope of the NHSS and is a matter between the resident/family representative and the respective nursing homes.

In order to secure a transfer, the resident and/or their representatives must first establish whether there is any vacancies at their preferred nursing home and whether they can be accommodated. The nursing homes in question should then be in a position to organise the transfer of the resident.

An important consideration is there may be contractual arrangements between the resident and the nursing home within the contract of care in respect of notice period for discharge which must be adhered to in order to avoid paying unnecessary fees. Neither the Department of Health nor the HSE are a party to these contracts which are concluded between the nursing home operator and the resident.

It is also important to keep your local Nursing Home Support Office informed to ensure that NHSS funding continues to follow the resident. It is important to note that transfer from one facility to another will have no impact on the resident’s contribution to the cost of their own care, which will remain the same regardless of the nursing home they chose to reside in.