Fair Deal waiting lists ‘unacceptable’

The increasing number of elderly people waiting to hear if they have been cleared for the Fair Deal scheme is unacceptable, the Dáil heard.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin raised the issue as he said waiting lists for the a nursing bed home under the initiative had more than quadrupled this year to stand at 2,114 by October — and decisions were taking nearly four months to come through.

“In January, 512 were awaiting funding, and there was a four-week waiting period for approval. In April, there were 913 waiting, with a six-week waiting period for approval. In June, 1,465 were waiting and it took 12 weeks to obtain approval.