Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2015
194. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the placement list for the nursing home support scheme; the timeframe for awarding places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12484/15]
View answer197. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme; the average waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12506/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 197 together.
As of the 19 of March 2015 (latest figures available) there were 1,399 people on the national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme with an average wait time of 11 weeks. The budget for the Scheme in 2015 is €948.8m which reflects an increase of €10m from the 2014 position. The additional €10m was allocated to the Scheme as part of a wider initiative to alleviate the problem of delayed discharges in acute hospitals and has resulted in 300 extra approvals under the Scheme.
