Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
100. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided on the commencement of changes to the nursing homes support scheme, the fair deal scheme; the benefits of these changes; if additional funding will be allocated for the fair deal scheme; if so, if this funding will help progress the expansion of the scheme or the introduction of a similar scheme for non-residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50817/21]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021 will be implemented from 20 October 2021. This extends the three-year cap on contributions based on farm and business assets at three years where an appointed family successor commits to working the productive asset for a period of 6 years. This safeguard will protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses across Ireland.
The Amendment has also extended the 3-year cap on financial assessment of the value of a principal residence to the proceeds from selling that home while in Fair Deal. Once the changes provided for come into operation, a Fair Deal participant will not experience an increase in their contributions to care after three years due to having sold their family home. This is in line with the core principles of the scheme, and will remove a disincentive to the sale of properties that might otherwise remain vacant.
Over €1.049 billion has been allocated for Long Term Residential Care in Budget 2022; an increase on 2021 levels of funding. A further €30m has been provided for in Budget 2022 for new developments which includes additional funding to operationalise the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021. The details of this initiative will be finalised as part of the National Service Plan process.
The Government is also committed to establishing a new statutory scheme on the financing and regulation of home support. This scheme is a key enabler to providing more alternatives to nursing home care and wider opportunities for people to live fuller, more independent lives. The scheme will provide for the financing and regulation of home-support services in order to provide equitable access to high-quality services based on a person’s assessed care needs.
