Temporary Inflation Payment Scheme (TIPS)

The Minister for Health and the Minister for Mental Health & Older People have approved the extension of the TIPS Scheme to the 31st March 2023

The Minister for Health and the Minister for Older People have approved a new scheme to support private and voluntary nursing homes to help with costs of energy inflation. The Temporary Inflation Payment Scheme (TIPS) has been developed to support private and voluntary nursing homes with energy cost increases and initially covered the period from July, 2022 to December, 2022. An extension of the TIPs has been approved by government to cover the period from 1st January, 2023 to 31st March, 2023.

A further extension of the scheme has now been approved by government to cover the period from 1st April to 30th June 2023.

The HSE administers the scheme and makes payments to the Nursing Homes. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) will administer the application process and provide support and advice to the HSE.

About the scheme

All private and voluntary nursing homes that have a maximum pricing agreement with the NTPF will be eligible to apply for this additional support.

The conditions of the scheme have been agreed as follows:

• TIPS will address cost increases relating to heating and electricity.
• Nursing Homes will be able to submit claims for cost increases on a monthly basis, with increases calculated year on year.
• TIPS will initially cover the period of July 2022 to June 2023.
• TIPS will operate on a vouched basis, with nursing homes required to evidence relevant cost increases via bills, invoices and other relevant documentation.
• The scheme will reimburse 75% of the value claimed, up to a maximum payment of €5,250 per month for each nursing home (75% of a €7,000 increase).
• Costs will not be allowable under the scheme where the nursing home claiming the costs has also benefitted from other government supports that specifically reimburse energy cost increases (including the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme or “TBESS” proposed by the Finance Bill 2022, and as later enacted) in respect of the same costs during the same period.