I wish to raise the issue of the fair deal scheme and ask a very basic question. Have the funds for the scheme been frozen? I have before me a response from the HSE in respect of a person on behalf of whom Fianna Fáil wrote a letter. The response states that State support has been approved in this case subject to the availability of funding at the time of the placement in an approved nursing home. It confirms that the application has been completed and the applicant placed on the national placement list for funding under the scheme. It asks the applicant to please note that there is currently a waiting time of three to four weeks for funding and that the office will write again to confirm when funding is available. It further states that where financial support has been approved, such support will be payable in respect of admissions to approved applicants, etc. That response to this individual is dated 6 March. We are looking at a six-week delay in a situation where the person has been approved for funding under the fair deal scheme but the funding has not been made available.

There is wider public concern about the scheme. The indication is that the allocation may have been used up. Can the Taoiseach allay such concerns? When will the legislation pertaining to the reform of the fair deal scheme be announced?

The budget for the fair deal nursing home support scheme for this year is €985.8 million, an increase of more than €20 million on last year. I guarantee the Deputy that it has not all been used up.

Why are letters such as this being issued?

I cannot answer questions on letters to individuals that I have not seen.

Many people have received such letters.

It is a general letter and I am making a general point. The funds are not available.

The funds have not been used up.

Where are the funds?