Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Questions (804)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

804. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the specific section of the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act which places a cap on expenditure under the fair deal scheme. [42174/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Section 5(4) of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 states that:

"In the financial year 2009 and in each subsequent financial year the Executive shall, out of such monies as are available to it for that financial year from monies provided by the Oireachtas, allocate such amount as the Minister determines, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, for the provision of financial support under this Scheme in that financial year."

This provision was included in the Act in order to ring-fence the funding for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and ensure that it is used for the provision of financial support under the Scheme. Transitional arrangements i.e. support for those who were in long term residential care prior to the introduction of the Scheme are also funded from this provision. The budget for long term residential care in 2014 is €939 million.