Matters in relation to the Nursing Home Support Scheme (the Fair Deal scheme), including the assessment of a couple’s means under that Scheme, are a matter for the Minister for Health.
My Department provides income supports through a mixture of contributory payments, which are based on a person's social insurance record, and means-tested social assistance payments.
The State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a State pension (contributory), or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure commitments or income tax circumstances so there is no provision under the rules to allow a disregard for any contribution made in respect of expenses including nursing home fees under the Fair Deal scheme.
Any decision to allow a disregard for nursing home fees under the Fair Deal scheme for the means test for State pension (non-contributory) would have budgetary implications and would have to be considered from an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.