Billy Kelleher
Question:96. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for processing fair deal applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37233/14]
View answerWednesday, 1 October 2014
Questions (96, 97, 98)
Billy Kelleher
Question:97. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the timeframe to release the money awarded under the fair deal scheme once it has been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37234/14]
View answerBilly Kelleher
Question:98. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount of a shortfall there is to cover the fair deal scheme to the end of the year; the reason this shortfall occurred; if he will be allocating further money in 2014 to allow the scheme to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37235/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 to 98, inclusive, 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 is €939m in 2014. A number of people covered by funding arrangements which preceded the Scheme are also covered by this funding. 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. 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.
The HSE operates a national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to enable it to operate within budget. All applicants who are approved for funding are put on the placement list in chronological order by the date of determination of their application, and funding issues to applicants in this chronological order to ensure equity nationally. Funding is released by the HSE on a weekly basis to ensure those on the placement list receive it as soon as possible. Currently, the average waiting time on the placement list following funding approval is 15 weeks. As of the 24th September there are 2,007 on the placement list awaiting funding release.
Funding for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will be considered in the context of the Estimates Process 2015, which is currently underway. The funding that becomes available must be balanced across all of the various service areas in a way that achieves the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritises areas of greatest need as far as possible.