Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018
214. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the home is designated as a second home for the purposes of fair deal funding in circumstances in which persons who reside in a nursing home and are supported by the fair deal scheme in which their family home is assessed as a second home for insurance purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7917/18]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants 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.
Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held. Assets include cash assets and all forms of property whether situated in the State or not. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence (PPR) is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. In that regard the PPR is treated differently than other assets, including, for example, a second property.
The financial assessment of relevant assets held, including an individual's PPR, is undertaken as a means of assessing the individual's future contribution to the cost of care under the Scheme. It is important to note that participants in the Scheme are not required to transfer ownership of assets, including the PPR, to other parties including the State.
