Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
737. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health following the introduction of the nursing home support scheme, fair deal, the recoupment of nursing home fees that have been recovered by the State from participants, their estates or next of kin for each year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41796/14]
View answerThe position in regard to cases where applicants under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme opt for the nursing home loan (Ancillary State Support), is that the loan becomes repayable:
- after the death of the person,
- if the person sells or transfers the property,
- if the person or his/her partner are deemed to be bankrupt, or
- if the HSE determines that it has been given false/misleading information relating to an application for the loan.
Under Section 26 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009, the collection and recovery of the repayable amount of the nursing home loan (Ancillary State Support) is a function of the Revenue Commissioners and the Commissioners have the authority to act as they deem necessary for the collecting, receiving and accounting of the repayable amount.
As a result, the nursing home loan must be repaid to the Revenue Commissioners and the Commissioners may take all steps which they consider appropriate to recover the repayable amount of the loan. Such monies received by the Revenue Commissioners must be paid into the Exchequer’s Central Fund.
The responsibility for the collection of the payable amount of the loans is that of the Revenue Commissioners.
Since the scheme commenced in 2009, the HSE has notified the Revenue Commissioners of a total of 1,926 loans for repayment. The value of these loans amounts to €30.504m and I set out hereunder a breakdown as follows:
|
Year |
No. of Records |
€m |
|
2009 - 2011 |
380 |
3.800 |
|
2012 |
485 |
7.650 |
|
2013 |
583 |
9.919 |
|
2014 (Jan/Aug) |
478 |
9.135 |
|
Total |
1,926 |
30.504 |
The responsibility for the collection of the payable amount of the loans is that of the Revenue Commissioners.
