Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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299. To ask the Minister for Health when he will commence the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51765/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021 was enacted on 22 July; as per the amendment to the Act introduced at committee stage in the Dáil, it will be brought into effect 90 days after its signing into law, on 20 October 2021.

The principal amendment introduced under the Act extends the three-year cap on contributions to farms and businesses owned by scheme participants, on the condition that these continue to be managed by a family successor for a certain period. The goal of this amendment is to assist in protecting the viability and sustainability of family farms and family run businesses. 

The Act also introduces changes that cap contributions from the proceeds of sale of a principal residence to be capped at three years in care. This will remove a disincentive to selling homes that might otherwise remain vacant.