Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a patient who is in a nursing home sacrifices the 15% cap on the contribution towards nursing home costs from the family home if they sell the home while in the nursing home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6232/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme aims to prevent people from having to sell their family home to fund their long-term care. If, however, a person applies for the Nursing Home Loan but subsequently chooses to sell the family home, the amount loaned on the basis of that asset up to that point must be repaid within six months of the sale. Thereafter, the proceeds of the sale would be treated as Cash Assets and would not be subject to the 7.5% (member of a couple) or 15% (single person) cap on property/land, as appropriate. Cash Assets are taken into account at a rate of 5% per annum for as long as the person remains in nursing home care.