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Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Questions (449)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

449. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) who applied for the nursing homes support scheme will be investigated. [48139/18]

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Written answers

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.

In order to determine how much an applicant will contribute to the cost of their care, a financial assessment is carried out by the HSE which takes account of a person's income and assets. As part of this assessment, the HSE identifies any income or assets that the applicant and his/her partner may have deprived themselves of in the five years leading up to their application, or at any time on or subsequent to the date on which the application for financial support under the Scheme is first made. Such assets are defined in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009 as 'transferred assets' and 'transferred income'. Under the legislation there are no exemptions in relation to transferred assets.

Where a person is aggrieved by a decision of the HSE, they may appeal that decision no later than 40 working days after notice of the original decision was given. An appeal must be made in a form specified by the HSE and must state the reasons for the appeal. An appeal may be made in respect of, amongst other things, a determination of an application for State Support, i.e. section 11 (1) of the NHSS Act 2009.

As an element of this question is in relation to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this element as soon as possible.

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