4,500 apply for nursing home Fair Deal scheme

MORE than 4,500 applications have been received by the Health Service Executive for support under the Fair Deal nursing home support scheme since it was launched at the end of October.

A total of 886 applications have been processed with determinations made while decisions are awaited in a further 3,788.

There are 9,500 private nursing home residents receiving state subvention who can apply for state support under the new scheme as well as those entering nursing homes.