Written answers

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Department of Health

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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341. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a cap on the maximum charge that can be applied to productive assets in the means assessment for the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35928/14]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is a system of financial support for people who require long-term nursing home care. Under the Scheme, nursing home residents contribute towards the cost of their nursing home care based on their means, and the HSE pays the balance. The Scheme applies to public, private and voluntary nursing homes.

The person's contribution towards their cost of care is calculated based on 80% of their income and 7.5% per annum of their assets. If a person is a member of a couple, the assessment is based on half of the couple's combined income and assets. The Scheme contains several important safeguards which ensure that both the person in the nursing home and their spouse/partner, if applicable, are adequately provided for:

- Nobody will pay more than the actual cost of care;

- The first €36,000 of a person's assets, or €72,000 for a couple, is not taken into account during the financial assessment;

- The principal residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of a person's time in care. This three year cap can also apply to family farms/businesses in certain circumstances;

- Where an individual's assets include land and property in the State, the contribution based on such assets may be deferred and collected from their estate. This is the optional Nursing Home Loan element of the Scheme;

- Individuals 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, s/he will retain 50% of the couples income, or the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), whichever is the greater;

- Certain items of expenditure, called allowable deductions, can be taken into account during the financial assessment. These allowable deductions include health expenses.

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