Written answers
Tuesday, 11 December 2018
Department of Health
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration
Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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346. To ask the Minister for Health when the three-year cap on the fair deal scheme will be extended to owners of farms and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51683/18]
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 three-year period.
A draft General Scheme of a Bill is currently with legal advisers for advice and legal quality control review. Subject to legal advice, I expect to bring the bill to Government soon.
The changes to the Scheme will come into effect in 2019 subject to the legislative process.
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