Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015
678. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health his views that the fair deal scheme unfairly prejudices those who have sold their family home and have a small cash reserve, as opposed to those who still have property, as outlined in attached correspondence (details supplied); if consideration is being given to a review of the deductions from cash assets where no property exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20320/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme is a key component of our health service. Its introduction in 2009 relieved families of potentially very onerous expense and ensured equity of treatment based upon means, regardless of the type of nursing home care provided. The Scheme involves very significant financial commitment on the part of the State with €993m allocated to the Scheme in 2015. This represents an increase of €54m on the 2014 figures.
There are several important safeguards built into the scheme which ensure that both the person entering long-term nursing home care and their spouse/partner are adequately provided for:
- Nobody will pay more than the actual cost of care.
- The first €36,000 for a person's assets, or €72,000 for a couple, is not taken into account during the financial assessment.
- The principal residence (and farms/businesses in certain circumstances) is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of a person's time in care.
- Individuals keep a personal allowance of 20% of their income, or 20% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), whichever is the greater.
- If there is a spouse/partner remaining at home, he/she will retain 50% of the couple’s income, or the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), whichever is the greater.
- The scheme also provides for certain items of expenditure, 'allowable deductions', to be taken into account during the financial assessment. These include health expenses, levies required by law, rent payments and borrowings in respect of a person's principal residence.
When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. This review is being carried out by my Department in collaboration with the HSE, with analysis and recommendations provided by Deloitte & Touche Consultants on specific issues which required specialised expertise. The review is considering the long term sustainability of the Scheme including funding arrangements. No decisions have been taken nor plans in place regarding changes to the way the Scheme currently operates.
The Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, as well as considering how the Scheme has operated to date, is expected to identify some of the broader issues that will need to be considered and tested more fully into the future, including the future financing of the full range of supports for older people, how community and residential supports and services should be balanced, and whether new care approaches can contribute positively. A continuum of more efficient care might serve to reduce the number of people requiring nursing home care and limit the projected increase in the cost of the Scheme.
