Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Health

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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463. To ask the Minister for Health to consider changing the fair deal scheme to ensure family farms are not eroded and rendered non-viable due to dilution of the farm asset scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11529/16]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon 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. This Review was published in July 2015. 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.

An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Review. 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 a submission already made in this context 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.

The Working Group is due to make a preliminary report on its progress to the Cabinet Committee on Health in June 2016.

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