Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the difficulties the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill poses to farm families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11962/09]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, Farming Organisations and Deputies have expressed concern in relation to the combined impact of the inclusion of transferred assets in the financial assessment and the absence of a cap on contributions from farms. Their concerns centre most strongly on situations where care is required from an early age and for a prolonged period, and the impact that this could have on the normal family succession of the farm. The IFA met with the Minister and officials from the Department to discuss their concerns with the Bill. The potential impact of the Bill on farming families was also raised at both Second Stage and Committee Stage in the Dáil and my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, has pledged to give the matter careful consideration prior to Report Stage. The Department is, therefore, in the process of reviewing the issue and matters raised at present.