Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
1050. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the additional funding that has been set aside from the temporary assistance payment scheme that were paid to nursing homes since January 2020, for example, the wage subsidy schemes. [37989/22]
View answerThe Department of Health has provided significant specific supports to the private and voluntary nursing home sector over the course of the pandemic. As the Deputy will be aware, the COVID-19 Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme, also known as TAPS, was established as part of a package of support measures for nursing homes at the start of the pandemic. According to the most recent available HSE data, from 5 July, 9,061 claims had been processed, with some €140.7 million euro of direct financial support provided to the sector. The outbreak assistance element of the scheme is still in payment. This element has been extended a number of times, most recently for 3 months, which will see the scheme operate until the end of September 2022. In addition to TAPS, direct support has been provided by the HSE to private nursing homes in many areas, including the provision of PPE, serial testing and support with staffing.
