Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the reforms of the fair deal scheme relating to small businesses and farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47252/18]

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. My Department is working on the development of draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.

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. Subject to legal advice, I expect to bring Heads of Bill to Government in the next session before this year end.

The changes to the Scheme will me into effect in 2019 subject to the legislative process.