Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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481. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider changing the financial assessment method for the nursing home support scheme in relation to the assessment of family farms as assets; if he will extend the existing three year cap to include family farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34578/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. A financial assessment is carried out by the HSE to determine how much a participant in the Scheme will contribute to the cost of their care.

A person's Principal Private Residence (PPR) is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of the NHSS participants' time in care. A farm or relevant business can also qualify for the three year cap where unexpected health events prevent early succession arrangements. This applies where:

a) The applicant has suffered a sudden illness or disability which caused them to require care services and

b) A substantial part of the working day of the applicant or their partner was regularly and consistently applied to the farming of the farm or carrying on of the relevant business until the onset of the sudden illness or disability, and

c) A family successor certifies in writing that he or she will on a consistent and regular basis apply a substantial part of his or her working day to the farming of the farm or the carrying on of the relevant business.

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

Furthermore, when the 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. This work is currently underway and the IFA has made a submission in this context to the Interdepartmental Group which is overseeing the Review. Changes arising from this Review may require legislative implementation.