Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 December 2019
155. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need in the context of the housing crisis to reform the operation of the fair deal scheme in order to encourage participants in the scheme to make their homes available for letting in order to alleviate the housing shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50486/19]
View answerUnder NHSS rental income is considered income for the purpose of the financial assessment, and is assessed at 80% less any allowable deductions. Allowable deductions include income tax and, therefore, any income tax arising from rental income should be deducted; other deductions include some health expenses, levies required by law to be paid, and interest on some loans in respect of a person’s principal private residence.
Action 17 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector commits the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government (DHPLG) to examine the treatment, under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme's financial assessment, of income from the rental of a person's principal private residence where they move into long term residential care. My officials are working with DHPLG officials and examining a number of possible options. I am not in a position, however, to provide detail on these as discussions and detailed examination are ongoing and any potential proposals have not been finalised.
