The Minister for Social Care, Kathleen Lynch, has said that the current Fair Deal Scheme is no longer affordable.
At the moment, the State subsidises nursing home fees, based on the person’s means.
But an upcoming review is likely to state that the scheme is no longer viable on the existing terms. Ms. Lynch said that “the notion that you would pay €250 to €290 a week for a service which is costing €1,200 is unsustainable”.
At present, there are nearly 22,151 residents whose nursing home fees are subsidised under the scheme, which was introduced by former Health Minister Mary Harney in 2009. The State will spend €948.7m in 2015, a figure that is up €10m on 2014.
If these comments come to pass, it is likely that the nation’s elderly will carry an extra burden on their shoulders.