Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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759. To ask the Minister for Health if she will urgently carry out changes to the fair deal scheme given certain anomalies in the scheme (details supplied). [15361/25]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as 'Fair Deal', is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. The primary legislation underpinning the NHSS is the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. Participants in the NHSS contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone, and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.

All participants within the NHSS contribute up to 80% of their income (40% if part of a couple) and 7.5% per annum of the value of their assets (3.75% if part of a couple). The first €36,000 (€72,000 if part of a couple) is excluded from assessment. The value of a person's principal residence is only assessed for contributions for their first three years on the scheme.

It is a core principle of the scheme that those who have more, pay more, and those who have less, pay less.

Assets assessed include cash assets as well as non-cash assets such as the principal private residence, other property and land, including farmland.

The process of the determination of financial assessment of means is described in Schedule 1 of the Act and can be viewed by following this link: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2009/act/15/enacted/en/print#sched1.

As the scheme is governed by primary legislation, applicants have no leave to appeal inclusion of the Principal Private Residence in financial assessment of means calculations.

There are currently no plans to revise the legislation to change how the Principal Private Residence is assessed, Given the size, complexity and cost of the NHSS, amendments to the scheme are complex and any changes in policy direction need to be carefully assessed and kept under review.

The Department of Health recognises that each situation is different and recommends that nursing home residents and their representatives carefully consider their personal circumstances and the potential consequences of their decisions in respect of treatment of the principal residence. It is advisable to make an informed decision before making a commitment to rent or sell their property.

The Department of Health cannot comment on the assessment criteria of Revenue or any other State agency.