Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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363. To ask the Minister for Health when the new guidelines for the fair deal scheme will come into effect; and the detail of the changes to the financial assessment for the scheme and changes to the way in which assets are assessed. [43219/18]

Jim 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 in the context of the HSE's 2019 National Service Plan, 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.