Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017
264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of step-down or nursing home standard beds currently available throughout the public and private sectors; the degree to which augmentation is required in either category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21086/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraResidential care in Ireland is provided through a mix of public, voluntary and private provision. It is worth highlighting that the net budget for long-term residential care in 2017 is €940m and the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will support 23,603 clients by the end of the year.
The Health Information and Quality Authority is the independent authority established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services. Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary and private have been registered and inspected by HIQA. At the end of 2016 there were 30,396 beds registered with HIQA.
Public Nursing Units are an essential part of our national nursing home infrastructure. They provide 5,000 long stay residential care beds. They also provide about 2,000 short stay community public beds nationally providing combination of ‘step up/step down’ care, intermediate care, rehabilitation and respite care. To allow flexibility, these are interchangeable in their use depending on demand.
Many public units are housed in buildings that are less than ideal in the modern context, but notwithstanding this, the standard of care delivered to residents is generally of a very high standard. It is important therefore that we consolidate our existing stock and this is the aim of the 5 year Capital programme for Community Nursing Units which was announced last year. This provides the framework to allow for an enhanced programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish these care facilities which will consolidate our existing public stock and is expected to provide about 250 additional beds.
With regard to private facilities, in Budget 2016 the Minister for Finance announced changes to the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme to allow for investment in the expansion, management and operation of nursing homes. The inclusion of nursing home expansion works in the Scheme was influenced by an analysis submitted by the Department of Health on measures, including tax measures, to support targeted development in nursing homes and primary care centres.
I would like to reiterate that it is Government policy that long-term nursing home care should be a last resort and we want to develop home and community care services to provide a more viable alternative to nursing home care for a greater number of people. In that context, I am prioritising the development of a regulatory and funding model for home care services. I have committed to launching a public consultation at the end of May which will allow all those with an interest to express their views and ideas, including older people themselves, their families, and healthcare workers.
