Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1984. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will clarify his comments on the fair deal scheme and the housing crisis made in August 2017; the way in which these changes will work; the way in which they will help the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37425/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), also known as the Fair Deal Scheme, was published by the Minister for Health in July 2015.  A Working Group is overseeing the implementation of its recommendations, including any legislative changes that may be required.

Action 17 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector undertakes to examine the treatment under the NHSS’s financial assessment of income from the rental of a person’s principal private residence (PPR), where they move into long-term residential care. This examination aims to explore the potential to encourage vacant accommodation to be brought into active use.

My Department is currently engaging with the Department of Health in relation to this action.  The Department of Health has received legal advice that changes to the treatment of rental income in the Scheme would require primary legislation.  My Department has carried out a preliminary estimate on the potential number of units involved and is discussing practical proposals with the Department of Health to encourage these units back onto the market.