Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1100. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the commitment contained in the programme for Government to remove discrimination against small businesses and family farms under the fair deal nursing home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24687/16]

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

A specific date has not been set for the Working Group to conclude its work, but it is in the process of reporting on its progress to date to the Cabinet Committee on Health. This will be done shortly, in line with the Committee's own scheduling requirements.

The Programme for a Partnership Government has indeed committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small business and family farms. Any significant changes ultimately deemed necessary to the Scheme will require legislation and will accordingly be addressed together at the conclusion of the Review implementation process.