Residential care in Ireland is provided through a mix of public, voluntary and private provision. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a key component of our health service. The budget for long-term residential care in 2015 is €993m. It is estimated that this will provide financial support to nearly 24,000 people this year in public, private and voluntary nursing homes.
Between now and 2024 the population over 65 years is projected to increase by about 200,000 people. Based upon current trends those requiring long-term care will increase by about 9,000 over the same period.
When the NHSS commenced, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. This review, which is almost complete, has been carried out by my Department in collaboration with the HSE, with analysis and recommendations provided by Deloitte & Touche Consultants on specific issues which required specialised expertise. The Review, as well as considering how the Scheme has operated to date, identifies some of the broader issues that will need to be considered and tested more fully into the future, including the future financing of the full range of supports for older people, how community and residential supports and services should be balanced, and whether new care approaches can contribute positively to older peoples' needs.
The Review will be completed and made publicly available in the near future.
