Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1658. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns of the private and voluntary nursing home sector with respect to the payments available to them to cover staff and operational costs under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37963/23]
View answer1659. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he has had engagement with representatives from the nursing home sector, private and voluntary, with respect to any difficulties that are arising in relation to the operation of the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37964/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1658 and 1659 together.
I recently held a roundtable discussion with private nursing home provider representative groups to ensure that nursing home care continues to be provided to older people that is accessible and affordable for everyone, and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings whilst simultaneously maintaining comfort levels and standards of care.
This also included discussions regarding future options for additional financial support to the sector, which are being considered through the Estimates and Budget 2024.
The Department recognises the importance of upholding constructive dialogue with all stakeholders as we continue to discuss matters relevant to the operation and funding of nursing homes and ongoing matters relating to the operation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
Both I and officials from the Department have had, and continue to have, engagement with Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) and with The Alliance on an ongoing basis in respect of funding supports, in addition to correspondence from individual nursing home operators.
It is worth noting that the state through Budget 2023 saw over €40 million in additional funding for Fair Deal which is providing for an uplift in the maximum prices chargeable by private and voluntary nursing homes, as negotiated.
Overall, nearly €1.5 billion of the total Health Budget for 2023 is allocated to support people under the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal).
It should also be noted that the Department of Health and I also have regular interaction with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and have met them to discuss ways to support the sector, where necessary and appropriate, to complement the normal process of negotiating rate increases when contracts are renewed.
Any nursing home which has had a scheduled renegotiation of their Deed of Agreement with the NTPF this year has seen a significant uplift. These new contracts have seen an average baseline increase in price per bed of between 6% and 7%.
The Government is cognisant of private and voluntary nursing homes that are not scheduled to renegotiate their Deed of Agreement in 2023. One of the options under consideration is for nursing home providers to agree to a shorter contract duration with the NTPF.
There is no other mechanism for funding from the public purse for nursing home residents outside the Nursing Home Support Scheme. It is imperative that private and voluntary providers continue to engage in the process as set out in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009.
In addition, a short term extension to the Temporary Inflation Payment Scheme (TIPS), a scheme introduced to help nursing home providers with increased energy costs due to inflation, is currently under review.
