Nursing Homes Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Nursing Homes Ireland

Date published 21 Jan, 2022

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS), which was implemented by Government to contribute towards the cost of nursing homes implementing intensified infection prevention control measures not covered by Fair Deal fees payable, was amongst the first financial supports to be withdrawn by Government, ceasing end of June. The cessation was despite nursing homes, understandably, having to continue to implement cost-heavy measures not encompassed under the fees payable by the State.

Intended results NHI requested immediate reinstatement of the Temporary Assistant Payment Scheme (TAPS) as it is a vital support to nursing homes who are facing huge cost increases due to the Covid 19 pandemic and who have had to had to implement intensified infection prevention control measures as per public health, HIQA and Covid19 Expert Panel recommendations to enhance protections for residents and staff from Covid19.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tadhg Daly

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (6-10)

NHI outlined to that with the new wave of Omicron that it is now imperative nursing homes are given the enhanced support offered by TAPS to protect against the new wave that could spread at a phenomenal pace. NHI asked Government to immediately reinstate the scheme. TAPS will help Nursing Homes fulfil an important role in enabling nursing homes to sustain intensified measures to mitigate the impact of Covid19 in our nursing homes. We are available to engage with immediacy on this vital public health issue.

Phone call (6-10)

Email (6-10)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Marian Harkin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Colm Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

David Cullinane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sean Canney Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)

Mary Butler Minister of State (Department of Health)

Micheál Martin An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Peadar Tóibín TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael McNamara TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)