Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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1655. To ask the Minister for Health when the review of the fair deal scheme will be published. [1174/24]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In 2015 a comprehensive review of the operation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was completed and subsequently published. The review can be found by following this link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6f512a-review-of-the-nursing-homes-support-scheme-a-fair-deal/

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review (2015) identified a number of recommendations for immediate implementation and a number of other complex issues that were deemed to require more detailed consideration. There are currently no plans to conduct a similar root and branch review of the scheme.

Emerging from this review, several subsequent reviews and actions incorporating different elements of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme have been completed.

In December 2021, the Department published the independently chaired Value for Money (VFM) review on nursing home costs. The review found that the cost differential between public and private/voluntary nursing homes is largely driven by variances in staff-to-resident ratios and the skill mix in public and private nursing homes.

The VFM Review made nine recommendations which the Department continues to take forward. The Value for Money Review can be found by following this link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/3859f-a-value-for-money-review-of-nursing-home-care-costs/

The Department of Health published a review of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) pricing system in June 2021 and continues to work on bringing forward the recommendations that emerged from this review. This review can be found by following this link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/41377-review-of-pricing-system-for-long-term-residential-care-facilities/

A steering group has been established to oversee the delivery of the recommendations; this group has met on a regular basis since publication of the review. The group made four recommendations which are being progressed by the NTPF and the Department of Health.

Given the size, complexity and cost of the NHSS, implementation is complex and any changes in policy direction need to be carefully assessed and kept under review. The Department of Health is consistently seeking to identify improvements and introduce enhancements to the scheme, where feasible, which aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is sustainable, accessible and affordable for everyone and that people continue to be cared for in the most appropriate settings.

Effective from 1 November 2022, the amount of rental income that nursing home residents can retain under the Fair Deal from renting their principle private residence increased from 20% to 60%. This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8. The change was made through a Committee-Stage amendment to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022.

Following a review period, as provided for in the amended legislation, proposals are currently before the Oireachtas to change the rental deduction from 60% to 100%, allowing nursing home residents and their families to retain all income accrued from renting the principal private residence. It is anticipated that this policy change will be implemented from 1 February.

It should be noted that this provision will only apply to income generated from rental of the principal private residence, and any rental income received from a property which is not from a principal residence will continue to be treated as general income and assessed at 80%.