Written answers

Tuesday, 9 October 2018

Department of Health

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Photo of Eamon ScanlonEamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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347. To ask the Minister for Health when the new contributory assessment conditions under the fair deal scheme will come into practice whereby land and businesses will be excluded after three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41135/18]

Photo of Jim DalyJim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions from farm assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. I hope to progress the legislation in the Oireachtas in the autumn session. My Department is working on the development of draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.

The impact of potential changes to the NHSS will be considered as part of Budget 2019, with changes expected to take effect next year following the legislative process. It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.

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