Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2022
271. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if Section 56 and 10 agencies and other community and voluntary organisations will be eligible to apply for the €100 million one-off health sector funding announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52442/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA significant fund of up to €100m has been allocated this year to support community based service providers who are such an essential pillar in the provision of Health services across country. This fund is being made available in recognition of the challenges being faced by the sector in delivering and maintaining key health and social care services against a backdrop of increased inflationary pressures affecting energy, heating and related costs. These organisations are funded through the HSE to deliver a range of health and social care services on behalf of the HSE to communities around Ireland. This includes residential, day and ancillary services for people with a disability, older people, mental health services, palliative care services, addiction services and other health and social care services provided in the community.
The details of the plan are being finalised. It is proposed that the inflation support fund will be administered by the HSE utilising the mechanisms in place for funding eligible organisations in receipt of Service Level Arrangements and Grant Aid Agreements. These arrangements are already in place with organisations that provide key health and social care services for people in Ireland. It is proposed that payments will be made to eligible organisations in the final quarter of 2022 to meet the pressures of this coming winter. Many eligible organisations may be already operating within a context of increased inflationary pressures, while others may only begin to experience same as winter progresses.
For providers of long-term residential care who participate in the Nursing Home Support Scheme, funding will be allocated through the established mechanism of the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme. Precise details will be communicated in the coming days.
With regards to payments to Section 10 agencies, this would be a matter for the Minister for Housing, while payments to Tusla-funded bodies should be directed to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Queries on payments for community employment schemes should be addressed to the Minister of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
