Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Health to pursue a cap on the maximum charge that can be applied to non-residential assets and productive assets to ensure that farmers can avail of the fair deal scheme. [21469/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) 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. Arising out of the Review, 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.

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. I have recently met with the IFA and invited them to present their submission at the next meeting of the Working Group, due to take place in September 2016.

The Programme for a Partnership Government has committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small business and family farms.