Details on Fair Deal scheme will be known in two weeks, says Taoiseach

MINISTER FOR Health Dr James Reilly would know in two weeks where the €100 million earmarked for the Fair Deal care for the elderly scheme had been diverted to, the Dáil was told.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said applications were being accepted and processed.

“In parallel, the Minister has called in the personnel dealing with the scheme to have a clear view of where the money has gone, how it has been spent and how the scheme can be continued as a consequence, in the knowledge that there is something there to meet it,” Mr Kenny added.

The scheme was introduced in October 2009 to fund long-term care for the elderly. Under it old people must contribute 80 per cent of their disposable income towards the cost of care.

Mr Kenny said it was only right, and in the interests of the taxpayer and the people, especially those who had applied for the Fair Deal scheme, that they know where the money had gone and that there was a clear view on how the scheme could be continued.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the Health Service Executive (HSE) had said the computer system processing applications had been shut down since May 16th, which flew in the face of what had been said in the Dáil on Tuesday.

“People are being prevented from taking up vacant nursing home places,” he added. “They cannot get final approval and are being given 24-hour, seven-day care by their families or friends and others are on hospital beds in an already hard-pressed hospital system.” People were seeking an assurance from the Taoiseach that he would ensure the scheme would be restarted immediately, said Mr Adams.

“People are still scared and deeply distressed and they need clear assurance from the Government.”

Mr Kenny said the issue was serious and affected the livelihoods of elderly people and was of great concern to their families.

The Minister and himself, he said, were keen for the scheme to continue.

“However, Deputy Adams is entitled to know, as are the elderly people involved, where the public’s money went,” said Mr Kenny.

“When the Minister comes back here, having found the answers to these questions, we will be in a far clearer position to know how many more can be approved for the Fair Deal scheme.”

Mr Adams said the Government was always clear about what it was doing when it came to the big people in society, the big bankers and the big states.

“However, when it comes to the small people . . . and those could be our parents or could be us in 10 or 15 years time . . . the Government is not clear,” he added.

Totally contradictory messages were coming from the Minister, the HSE, the department and the Taoiseach, he said.

Mr Kenny said he did not accept that Mr Adams had “a sole right in respect of the care and consideration of elderly people or the little people as he puts it”.

The Government had to deal with the real world, as had those who were applying for the Fair Deal scheme.