Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views in relation to correspondence (details supplied) regarding the nursing home Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48010/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, individuals who require long-term residential care will contribute a maximum of 80% of their net assessable income whether for public or private nursing home care. In calculating an individual's net assessable income, it is proposed that account can be taken of specified items of expenditure.

Depending on the amount of a person's assessable income, there may also be a contribution of up to 5% of a person's assets in excess of the asset disregard per annum. The asset disregard is €36,000 for an individual or €72,000 for a couple. The State will meet the balance of cost thereafter in public or private nursing homes and an individual's family and/or friends will not have to contribute towards the cost of their care. An individual can choose any nursing home subject to a) its ability to meet their care needs and b) availability.

Contributions based on Irish land-based assets may be deferred for the duration of a person's lifetime and repaid from their estate. If an individual opts to defer this portion of the contribution, the Revenue Commissioners will collect it upon settlement of their estate. However, this deferred contribution element of the scheme is voluntary. Individuals may choose to pay as they go in which case no money would be repayable from their estate.

Where the contribution is based on the principal private residence, it will be capped at a maximum of 15%, or 7.5% in the case of one spouse going into long-term residential care while the other remains in the home. This means that after three years in care, an individual will not be liable for any further deferred contribution based on the principal residence. Where a 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, or until such time as a person previously qualifying as a dependant ceases to qualify as such.

Finally, the new scheme will not be limited to persons over the age of 65. Any person who enters long-term residential care in a nursing home will be able to apply to avail of the scheme.