To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department plans to increase funding for local care home facilities.

The Department annually reviews the regional tariff rate for residents placed in residential and nursing care homes. The regional tariff rate is a guide to what the HSC system considers to be fair and affordable, it is not a fixed price for a care placement.

This annual inflationary review process is underway and the sector will be advised as soon as the budget permits.

My Department has established a Social Care Collaborative Forum to provide a formal mechanism for officials and representatives of the Social Care Sector (statutory, voluntary/community and private sectors), to work together as partners to build shared values and deliver improvements that will support and sustain social care now and into the future.

As part of its remit, the Forum will review proposals arising out of the consultation on the Reform of Adult Social Care including future charging arrangements within the sector. Progress against all aspects of the Forum’s work will be reported on and where specific proposals are being made in respect of charging for care these will be subject to public consultation.