Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2013
249. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that all applications for the Fair Deal scheme have now been suspended; if this includes those people currently in acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24546/13]
View answerFirstly, I would like to clarify that the HSE did not suspend accepting applications for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
On the 15th April 2013, the HSE temporarily suspended the chronological operation of the placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Instead, funding under the Scheme was targeted at hospitals with the highest number of delayed discharges in an effort to alleviate pressure in Emergency Departments. The hospitals targeted were the Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals (DATHs) and Cork University Hospital.
It is understood that the HSE re-commenced the chronological operation of the placement list with effect from 9th May 2013. This ensures that funding is available to people in the community, people in nursing homes and people in all acute hospitals.
