Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Minister for Health the payment mechanism in place for families who have recently lost a relative under the care of the fair deal scheme; if the balance on an account can be paid off in instalments in cases in which a family home has been listed against the deceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19461/18]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Where a resident under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) has assets including land or property, they may defer their contribution to care based on such assets under Ancillary State Support (also known as Nursing Home Loan). This contribution becomes payable on their death. Collection and recovery of repayable amounts of the Ancillary State Support is a function of the Revenue Commissioners, acting as a collecting agent for the HSE. Where the HSE has advanced monies by way of Ancillary State Support it calculates the amount due in relation to such support and gives notice of that amount and particulars of how it is calculated to the relevant accountable person.

The HSE notifies Revenue of amounts that become due for collection and in all circumstances Revenue makes contact with the relevant person before any collection activity is initiated. Where there are personal or financial difficulties, Revenue will always work with the person, provided there is meaningful engagement. While there is no provision for instalment arrangements under Ancillary State Support, if the accountable person wishes to pay by instalment arrangement then these payments are accepted by Revenue. Late payment interest charges may apply in such circumstances. I would therefore urge family members of the deceased to engage directly with the Revenue Commissioners on this matter.

There is also an option, in certain cases, to defer or postpone the repayment of a loan amount based on the principal residence. This is called ‘Further Deferral’ and its purpose is to ensure that certain individuals, for whom the asset is their principal residence, will not need to worry about selling or re-mortgaging the asset in order to repay the Nursing Home Loan. Instead, such individuals can defer repayment of the Loan for the duration of their lifetime. A person wishing to apply for a further deferral, or a representative acting on their behalf, must apply for such a deferral, not later than 3 months after the death of the applicant. In compelling circumstances, an application may be made up until 6 months after the death of the applicant. The application should be made on the form specified by the HSE.