Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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196. To ask the Minister for Health if a review of an allowance in payment to a person (details supplied) will be arranged with a view to increasing the weekly amount. [3608/19]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.

In order to determine how much an applicant will contribute to the cost of their care, a financial assessment is carried out by the HSE which takes account of a person's income and assets. 

I would suggest that the applicant contact their local HSE Nursing Homes Support Scheme Office to request a review of the financial assessment, if twelve months have elapsed since the date of the initial financial assessment or the most recent review of that assessment.

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. However, where the asset concerned is the principal residence of the surviving partner of the person who has died, the surviving partner may request that repayment of the loan is further deferred for 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.