Decision not to increase Nursing Home contribution praised

However they maintain it was a “wasted opportunity” regarding the need to increase funds for community supports.

The review was published this week and made a number of recommendations including better use of information technology and web-based systems. It also recommended no increase in the contributions paid by people into the scheme.

The review judged the scheme to have been successful in its first five years of operation and the priority in the next phase will be to implement administrative improvements.

“With any completely new scheme it makes sense to take stock after an initial period of bedding in,” said Minister for Primary Care, Social Care and Mental Health Kathleen Lynch.

“This is what we have now done for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The Review shows an overwhelmingly positive picture of the scheme which meets a critical need in a very fair and transparent way.

“Of course we have identified some things that require attention and adjustment. This is to be expected and work will commence immediately on these areas, particularly those that can be addressed quickly on an administrative basis. Other issues, such as further emphasis on community care and the development of new models of residential care, will take longer but are also very important. “

The approved budget for the scheme is €993 million which will support 23,960 in nursing home care by the end of 2015.