Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:213. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the case of a person (details supplied) who is awaiting an assessment of needs. [7908/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (213)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration
Ceisteanna (214)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:214. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the home is designated as a second home for the purposes of fair deal funding in circumstances in which persons who reside in a nursing home and are supported by the fair deal scheme in which their family home is assessed as a second home for insurance purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7917/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held. Assets include cash assets and all forms of property whether situated in the State or not. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence (PPR) is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. In that regard the PPR is treated differently than other assets, including, for example, a second property.
The financial assessment of relevant assets held, including an individual's PPR, is undertaken as a means of assessing the individual's future contribution to the cost of care under the Scheme. It is important to note that participants in the Scheme are not required to transfer ownership of assets, including the PPR, to other parties including the State.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review
Ceisteanna (215)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:215. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the fair deal scheme will be amended for persons (details supplied); the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7918/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
When the NHSS commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a recommendation was made to examine the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. The programme for a Partnership Government has also committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small businesses and family farms. I am committed to this review. However, it is important to remember that the NHSS is largely underpinned by primary legislation and changes to the NHSS will require legislative implementation.
On this basis, I requested legal advice from the office of the Attorney General regarding potential changes to the legislation that will address this matter. The Department has recently received this advice and are exploring the legislative changes necessary and any potential impacts as a result of amending the scheme. It is hoped to bring a Memo to Government on this issue shortly and, subject to Government approval and the drafting process, I then hope to bring forward these legislative proposals thereafter.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Ceisteanna (216)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:216. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the start-up costs incurred by the reactivation of the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2017. [7944/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The overall NTPF allocation of funding includes €5m which is set aside to meet administration costs each year. The level of administrative funding has remained the same in each of the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. No additional administrative funding has been allocated to the NTPF in 2018 in respect of the resumption of patient treatment commissioning.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data
Ceisteanna (217)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:217. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons residing in nursing homes who are supported by the fair deal scheme, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7963/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Occupational Therapy Provision
Ceisteanna (218)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:218. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an occupational therapy appointment for a person (details supplied); his views on the fact that if this report is not made available to the school, this person will not have the supports they require for the upcoming junior certificate exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7968/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Mental Health Services Data
Ceisteanna (219)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:219. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS hours of service available by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7975/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Home Care Packages Data
Ceisteanna (220)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:220. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of health care hours allocated to support home care of elderly persons or persons with a disability by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7976/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Ministerial Meetings
Ceisteanna (221)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:221. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when he will facilitate a meeting requested by a patient advocacy group (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7999/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My office is in direct contact with the organisation in question to arrange a meeting and a date will be confirmed as soon as my diary allows.