Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the provisions of the new deal scheme in respect of the treatment of married couples; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32571/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the new scheme, people who require long-term residential care will contribute up to 80% of their assessable income per week, whether for public or private nursing home care. Depending on the amount of a person's assessable income, there will also be a contribution of up to 5% of a person's assets. The portion of the contribution relating to assets, such as a person's house, may be deferred. This means that it does not have to be met during the person's lifetime and can be payable on settlement of the person's estate instead. The deferred contribution will be based on the actual number of weeks spent in residential care and on the cost of care and, consequently, may be less than 5% per annum. Where the spouse or certain dependants are living in the principal residence, the contribution may be further deferred until after the death of that spouse or dependant.

In addition, where the deferred contribution applies to the principal residence, it will be capped at a maximum of 15%, or 7.5% in the case of one spouse remaining in the home while the other enters long-term residential care.

It is important to emphasise that no one will ever pay more than the cost of their care. In the case of a married couple, each person will be assessed on the basis of half their combined assessable income and assets. However, we will ensure that a spouse who remains in the family home retains a sufficient income to live on. At the very least, such a person will never be left with less than the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory).