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Updated 2.18pm
AGE ACTION HAS hit out at the Department of Health as it considers an increase in the amount paid by people to stay in long-term nursing home care.
It’s part of an unpublished review of the HSE’s Fair Deal scheme. This scheme allows people to make a contribution towards their nursing home care, after which the State pays the balance.
Details of the financial sustainability of the scheme were questioned last night on RTÉ’s Prime Time. The programme revealed a number of options being considered about putting the scheme on a better financial footing.
Although one option suggested increasing the State’s contribution, most looked at nursing home residents and their relatives contributing more.
Age Action has today branded the proposed changes as “unfair and unjust”.
Spokesperson Eamon Timmins said:
The proposals to increase the level of these charges would add insult to injury and would be opposed by older people and their families
“While the entitlement to a public bed exists in other parts of the health system, the introduction of the NHSS in 2009 extinguished the public bed in a nursing home, so that older people who need round-the-clock nursing care are left with the choice of signing up for the Fair Deal or paying the full fee privately.”
The charity noted that under the current system, someone on the state pension only has €46 per week after charges.
This is what is left to spend on therapies, specialised wheelchairs or equipment, and essentials like soap and shampoo.
The amount of assets such as savings and properties that currently have to be contributed under the scheme is capped at 7.5%. Prime Time reports that the review states this increase to 10%.
For this purpose, the first €36,000 of assets (€72,000 for a couple) is not part of the calculation but the government will now consider reducing this.
The programme also showed how those availing of the scheme are currently required to contribute 7.5% of the value of their family home each year for a maximum of three years. The review says this three year cap could be reconsidered.
The review also looks at whether the law could be changed to allow Fair Deal charges be deducted from direct from pensions.
The review also lays out a consideration which could see older people contributing to the cost of community services through a charge on their estate after their death.
Only today Health Minister Leo Varadkar announced an expansion of the Fair Deal scheme that would see transitional beds currently in use in emergency departments replaced by sustainable, more cost-effective beds under Fair Deal.
Additional reporting by Nicky Ryan. Published 11.12pm, 2 April
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Even explosive devices go around in groups in Tallaght…………
One day we will tune in to Six One News and it will say “Good Evening, it’s Six One News with ……. Nobody was shot in Dublin today and no pipe bombs were dealt with by the army” As it is this is what we have come to expect and now the animals don’t even care about children. Sad.
I thought he was firing those rockets into the sea. He’s got some explaining to do . Thankfully nobody hurt.
Lol Some people prob wont get the joke!!!
The Dublin bomb squad should go over to Iraq and teach them how to disarm bombs. Plenty practice!!!!
Can you get an IDA grant for opening a bomb factory?
Cough cough “Gilligans crew” cough cough.
Wow dublin is like Chicago in the 1920s and 30s
Yes but Chicago jailed their criminals for tax evasion where we elected them to represent us in the dail .
Tallagh trash
Cheers for that.
Where is Tallagh ? Or did you mean Tallaght.
A rather silly comment to make des.
Des you know where you can put that comment
Des could you please explain why you referred to all of Tallaght people as trash have you ever been to Tallaght ?
And your from where des??
Ignore the likes of Des. He is probably living in some leafy suburb deprived of such facilities as our wonderful Hospital that saved me from cancer, our Civic Theatre, National Basketball Arena, one of Ireland’s top public Library’s, Swimming Pools, Square Shopping Centre and numerous other facilities, most of which have been provided and continue to be maintained by a vibrant and very special community whose spirit is a lot stronger than any other thug or critic.
If you don’t like it Go home you don’t have to stay here
AS#HOLE!
Looked like my comment was not put under the AS#HOLES that I wanted it to! My AS#HOLE comment was meant for ‘des papazian’, like his name, his comments make no sense!
SORRY! Not with it today, my previous comment could easily refer to Stevie Leslie also! Pathetic comments from a pathetic pair……….. of AS#HOLES!
Des you wouldn’t say that in Tallaght now would you.
Des there are plenty of lovely people living in Tallaght so keep your smart comments to yourself or better again if you don’t like it go home .
Yes Clyon so dont come to close
Just let bombs go off.may improve the kip and take sum skum with it
have your say