By Linda Belardi and Natasha Egan
The Federal Government won’t confirm the funding it will make available for a scheme replacing the axed Dementia and Severe Behaviours Supplement.
Assistant Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield told ABC radio on 3 July that he intended to sit down with the sector to discuss what could be in place of the supplement “within the original funding envelope”.
However Senator Fifield would not confirm to AAA the amount of the funding envelope the government would make available or the time frame for introducing a new scheme.
Following a meeting with Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews on 4 July, ACSA said it received an assurance that the government would consult with the sector on a replacement scheme, which would be funded from the forward estimates.
Adjunct Professor John Kelly also said in ACSA’s national report published 10 July that the 2013/14 financial year overspend would be absorbed by the government.
Senator Fifield would not confirm this commitment today but said he was consulting with the sector.
“The Government is determined to take the time required to get this right and avoid a repeat of the current situation,” he told AAA.
“The Supplement was not designed to top up funding for general dementia care,” he said.
“It is not the prime funding mechanism to support people with dementia. Funding continues to be available for residential care providers to support the care needs of residents, including care needs associated with dementia through subsidies determined using the Aged Care Funding Instrument.”
The Opposition said the Federal Government had no plans to replace the supplement and aged care providers and consumers remained in the dark on the availability of ongoing funding.
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care Senator Helen Polley said Minister Fifield had “dodged and ducked” questions in parliament rather than providing reassurances to the sector.
