Michael Colreavy
Ceist:140 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the scope, nature and duration of the review of the fair deal scheme. [29420/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 19 June 2012
Ceisteanna (59)
Freagraí scríofa
The Terms of Reference for the review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme are: Taking account of Government policy, demographic trends and the fiscal situation—
1. To examine the on-going sustainability of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme,
2. To examine the overall cost of long-term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the effectiveness of the current methods of negotiating/setting prices,
3. Having regard to 1. and 2. above, to consider the balance of funding between long-term residential care and community based services, and
4. To make recommendations for the future operation and management of the scheme.
A call for submissions to inform the review was placed in national newspapers on the 14th June. The closing date for receipt of submissions is the 16th July. Thereafter, the Department of Health will be seeking tenders through the public procurement process for the carrying out of the review. This process takes approximately 4 months. It is anticipated that the review itself will take approximately three months to complete. It is expected that the review will commence in the last quarter of this year and be completed in early 2013. As the Scheme is statutory based, the implementation of any recommendations arising from the review may require significant amendments to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009.