208 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to extend the fair deal scheme to include care in the community. [47734/10]

I understand that this question relates to the following statement in the National Recovery Plan 2010-2014 — ‘building on the success of the Fair Deal scheme, the introduction of an approach to community support for older people which takes need and financial means into account on a nationally consistent basis'.

The Department of Health and Children, in consultation with the HSE, is currently preparing proposals to ensure that access to long-term community services is provided on a nationally consistent and equitable basis having regard to each person's care needs and means. The proposals are at a very early stage, therefore, it is not possible to provide any further detail at the present time.