Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 April 2014

Thursday, 3 April 2014

Ceisteanna (246)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

246. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if a person accepted on the fair deal funding will receive payment from the date of the acceptance or from the date that funding becomes available; if his attention has been drawn to the financial problems this will cause for families who have to obtain nursing home care for their loved ones due to necessity; the actions planned to overcome such difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15769/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE's National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme provide that State Support and Ancillary State Support should be paid from either the date that the release of funding is approved, or date of admission to the nursing home, whichever is the later. If payment were made from the earlier date fewer people could be supported overall.

The current average time for processing properly completed application forms received by the HSE is 4-6 weeks nationally. Applicants are placed on the national placement list for funding in chronological order by the date of determination of their application. Funding issues to applicants in this chronological order to ensure equity of access nationally. As of the 25th March it was taking approximately 36 days for funding to issue to applicants from date of determination.