Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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514. To ask the Minister for Health when the three year cap in regard to farm assets and small business will come into effect under the nursing homes support scheme; the procedure thereafter; the estimated timeframe for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23626/19]

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 based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. My Department developed 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.

The Heads of Bill has been circulated to Government this week. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect as soon as the the legislative process us successfully complete.