Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the cap on cost per patient in the new fair deal scheme for long term residents who have means assessed against them in relation to a hospital (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45332/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The cost of long-term nursing home care in Baltinglass District Hospital is €1,640 per week and this, therefore, is the cap on the cost per patient under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.

Individuals who receive State support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will contribute up to 80% of their assessable income and 5% of the value of any assets in excess of the asset disregard per annum towards their long-term nursing home care costs. The asset disregard is €36,000 for an individual and €72,000 for a couple. The HSE will pay the balance of the cost of care.

Where a person's assets include land and property, the 5% contribution based on such assets may be deferred and collected at a later date. This is an optional element of the scheme called the Nursing Home Loan. This loan will become repayable after the person's death or if the person sells/transfers their property (if this occurs before their death).

A person's principal residence will only be included in the financial assessment for the first 3 years of their time in care. This is known as the 15% or 'three year' cap. It means that a person will pay the 5% contribution based on their principal residence for a maximum of three years regardless of the time they spend in nursing home care. After 3 years, even if a person is still getting long-term nursing home care, they will not pay any further contribution based on the principal residence. This 'three year' cap applies regardless of whether a person chooses to opt for the loan or not. In the case of a couple, where one partner remains in the home while the other enters a nursing home, the contribution based on assets is 2.5% per annum and the contribution based on the principal residence is capped at 7.5%.

The scheme also encompasses the following important safeguards:

Nobody will pay more than the actual cost of care.

Applicants will keep a personal allowance of 20% of their income or 20% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (non-Contributory), whichever is the greater.

If there is a spouse/partner remaining at home, he/she will be left with 50% of the couple's income or the maximum rate of the State Pension (non-Contributory), whichever is the greater.

The first €36,000 of the applicant's assets, or €72,000 in the case of a couple, will not be counted at all in the financial assessment.

If there is a partner or certain dependants living in the principal residence, the repayment of contributions may be further deferred for their lifetime.