Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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713. To ask the Minister for Health when a change, subject to a recent Regional Group Private Members’ motion that houses within the fair deal scheme could be made available to the rental market without impact to the cost of the scheme for those in residential accommodation, will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51293/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has approved a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, also known as “Fair Deal”, to remove a disincentive for participants in the Scheme to rent out their principal residence after they have entered long term residential care. The rate of assessment for rental income from all principal residences will be reduced from 80% to 40%. This will be reviewed after six months of operation, with the potential for further amendment after that point. This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8.

The change was made through Committee-Stage amendment to the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022. The Bill was approved by the Oireachtas on 30th June and signed into law by President Higgins in July. It is expected that the necessary administrative and operational changes will soon be in place and the amendment will become fully operational shortly thereafter.