The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has confirmed that he plans to clear a backlog of nursing home places for older people.
Mr Kenny made his comments in the Dáil this afternoon were he also admitted that funding for the ‘Fair Deal’ scheme was cut for this year, but insists that a current waiting list of over 2,100 will be cleared. He told the Dail: “Yes it’s a challenge … we all understand the importance of people, particularly elderly people, of being able to be comfortable in their own home, in the community, under this scheme”.
The scheme, also known as the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, is a financial support model for those in need of long-term nursing care. The plan operates with the recipient making a nominal contribution to the costs, based on a financial assessment, and the State paying the remainder.