Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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422. To ask the Minister for Health when the interdepartmental group reviewing the fair deal scheme will report; its progress to date; and if he has consulted or if he will meet with the Irish Farmers Association. [11288/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. The Review included a general examination of the operation of the Scheme, as well as the balance between residential care and care in the community. A number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies, including the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. In advance of the Review, submissions were sought from groups or bodies who wished to make a contribution, and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) made a submission in this context on which they expanded at a subsequent meeting with officials of the Department of Health.

The Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group set up to progress the recommendations contained in the Review has held three meetings to date, with a further meeting due to take place in the coming weeks. This Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners and, when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The Group will consider the submission already made by the Irish Farmers' Association and will then consider whether an additional presentation by the IFA would be appropriate. Any significant changes ultimately deemed necessary to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will require legislation and will accordingly be addressed together at the conclusion of the Review implementation process.

Significant progress has already been made in relation to the implementation of recommendations relating to the administrative reforms to the Scheme. The Working Group is due to make a preliminary report on its progress to the Cabinet Committee on Health in June 2016.