Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2018
257. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to introduce an independent appeals mechanism within the nursing homes support scheme to provide third party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14514/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra258. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when the review of pricing system for long-term residential care facilities will be published as recommended within the review of the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14515/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together.
The Report of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) Review published in 2015 identified a number of issues for more detailed consideration, including a review of pricing mechanism by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), with a view to:
- Ensuring value for money and economy, with the lowest possible administrative costs for clients and the State and administrative burden for providers;
- Increasing the transparency of the pricing mechanism so that existing and potential investors can make as informed decisions as possible; and
- Ensuring that there is adequate residential capacity for those residents with more complex needs.
A Steering Committee has been established to oversee this review which is chaired by the NTPF and includes representatives from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The NTPF have responsibility for the development of this report, although Department Officials continue to engage with the NTPF regarding the review. The most recent update from the NTPF is that the report will be finalised and ready for review in the first half of 2018.
With regard to the Deputy’s question on plans to introduce an independent appeal mechanism within the NHSS to provide third party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the NTPF, I cannot nor would I wish to, prejudge the outcomes of the NTPF pricing mechanism review. However I welcome the work to date and look forward to the NTPF concluding the review later this year.
