Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1229. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a review of the fair deal scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48281/25]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law by President Higgins on 22nd July 2021 and has been fully operational from 20 October 2021.

In addition to applying a three-year cap to the proceeds of sale of the principal private residence, the amendment also extended the three-year cap to contributions based on farm and business assets where a family successor commits to working the productive asset. There is no requirement that the nominated family successor inherits the asset at a future date and it should be understood that applicants can distribute their assets how they see fit.

The stated policy objective of the legislation introduced additional safeguards in the Scheme to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses that will be passed down to the next generation of the family to continue to work them as productive assets to provide for their livelihood.

Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act (2009), responsibility lies with the HSE to consider each individual application and accept it or reject it on the basis of legislative and operational guidelines. The HSE may request documentary evidence to support an application to verify eligibility.

There are currently no plans to review the eligibility criteria to nominate a family successor under the terms of the legislation. 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.