Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
862. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to determine a scheme to encourage families with vacant properties tied into the fair deal scheme to rent those properties into the private rental or social rental sector; and if not, if he will give a commitment to do so in view of the thousands of vacant fair deal homes across the State. [4411/21]
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, such as their pension, and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held, such as their principal private residence or cash assets. The first €36,000 of an individual’s assets is not counted at all in the financial assessment. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three-year cap. No participant will pay more than the actual cost of care.
Under the NHSS, rental income is considered income for the purpose of the financial assessment, and is assessed at 80% less any allowable deductions.
The programme for government, Our Shared Future, commits to reforming the Fair Deal scheme to incentivise renting out vacant properties. The Department of Health is currently engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this regard. There are significant complexities in any changes to the NHSS, particularly to ensure the ongoing fair, equitable and sustainable operation of the scheme, so all competing interests and relevant issues must be fully considered.
