Nursing home scheme in danger of running out of funding

FAIR DEAL, the government scheme designed to make nursing home care “accessible, affordable and anxiety-free” is in danger of running out of funding halfway through the year.

Last night, a spokesperson for Health Minister James Reilly confirmed he was “seriously concerned” that the funding pressures had arisen so early in the year.

He said the minister had asked his officials and the Health Service Executive (HSE) to prepare proposals outlining how Fair Deal applications will be dealt with for the rest of 2011.