Michelle Mulherin
Question:860. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the overall budget for the fair deal scheme in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33276/14]
View answerWednesday, 17 September 2014
Questions (860, 861)
Michelle Mulherin
Question:861. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the overall budget for the fair deal scheme in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33277/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 860 and 861 together.
The needs of our older people are, and will remain, a very high priority for me and for the Government, and the resources that are available will be applied to provide the best possible mix of supports and services in a way that most effectively matches the needs and preferences of older people themselves, with a particular focus on enabling people to live as independently as possible in the community.
The total budget for long-term residential care was €974m in 2013 and is €939m in 2014. A number of people covered by funding arrangements which preceded the Scheme are also covered by this funding.
The €939m available for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme in 2014 represents a reduction of €35m on the 2013 provision. The target in the HSE's Service Plan 2014 is for 22,061 persons to be in receipt of financial support for long-term nursing home care by year end. However, €23m has been transferred from the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to provide additional community services, with a view to allowing more older people to be supported in their own homes and communities for longer. This reorientation is in line with both Government policy and with the expressed wishes of older people.