Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
75. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason for the continued Covid-19 support funding to private nursing homes owned by international investments funds; the amount that has been spent in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18476/23]
View answerThe Government has provided extensive support to the Nursing Home Sector since the start of the pandemic. The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary, administrative measure to respond to the challenges being faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic. Almost €149 million has been claimed by private nursing homes under the scheme since its introduction. The Outbreak Assistance element of the scheme is still in operation, recognising the continued challenge posed to nursing homes by COVID-19 outbreaks and the related cost pressures. The figure claimed to date in 2023 across all nursing homes is €675,899.
There will be a gradual reduction of the threshold for maximum monthly claim amounts applying to claims from 01 March 2023. At the end of April 2023, the scheme will be closed. This approach takes account of the changed situation with regard to COVID-19 in Ireland, and the inherently temporary nature of the scheme.
A robust control framework was put in place for the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme, including requirements for validation, review of claims by an external accountancy firm, and provision for all claims to be audited and any misallocated funds clawed back for up to six years following. The thresholds also provided a strong control on costs.
Claims to the scheme were administered by the NTPF (National Treatment Purchase Fund), with the HSE validating and processing payments.
