Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 April 2013

Wednesday, 24 April 2013

Questions (268)

Tom Fleming

Question:

268. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the funding available for the fair deal nursing home support scheme for eligible residents support scheme of nursing homes is sufficient to meet the ongoing demand; if he will clarify the issue of the Health Service Executive creating a new placement list for applicants; if this list is another term for a waiting list; if he will give an assurance that the current fair deal scheme will operate on the basis of meeting the demand in a timely fashion and ensure the continuation of this scheme will serve the purpose of making long term nursing home care accessible and affordable [19477/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

At end-February, it was taking an average of 27 days from the date that an application is determined for funding to issue under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.

The HSE makes every effort to match available funding to demand by releasing funding on a weekly basis. However, the total amount available for the Scheme is capped at €974m for 2013. As of now it is unclear when that limit will be reached, as this depends on the rate at which applications are received during the year. The position will be monitored on an on-going basis and every effort will be made to manage the funds that are available in the most effective way possible.

As a temporary measure, in order to relieve particular pressures in the Emergency Departments of certain acute hospitals, the HSE has suspended the normal chronological order for the release of Nursing Homes Support Scheme funding. Normal arrangements will be restored as soon as possible.