Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Rural Independent Group for bringing forward such an important Private Members' motion which my party fully supports as we understand the difficulties faced by too many small farm households across the island. I have recently met representatives of the IFA about this issue and I am aware that thousands of families genuinely cannot afford to pay for nursing home care for their loved ones. There are a number of farm families in my constituency of Offaly which includes part of north Tipperary who are at the end of their tether trying to pay the cost of nursing home care for their loved ones. This causes them great anxiety and is a source of unnecessary hardship. The future of small farms is under threat under the current regime as many have no other option but to sell their land to pay for nursing home care for their loved ones. Small farmers are impacted on disproportionately by the current rules. Uncertainty is created for farm families by the potentially uncapped liability in the financial assessment of non-residential assets. The assessment applies where assets are not transferred prior to a person entering nursing home care or where he or she was transferred in the preceding five years. The definition of the criteria relating to sudden illness provides for a three-year limit to be applied to non-residential assets. These issues combined cause great hardship for farming families and must be addressed.

I am aware that there is a commitment in the programme for Government to tackle the discrimination faced by farmers and small businesses in accessing nursing home care. This commitment must be fulfilled as soon as possible. I welcome the opportunity to send a clear message of support to small farmers and businesses. Sinn Féin wants to protect the future viability of family farms and fully support businesses. I hope all Deputies will take the opportunity to do the same and end this unfair discrimination once and for all.

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