Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1585. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 120 of 22 March 2018, the work being undertaken by his Department to encourage those availing of the nursing homes support scheme to make their vacant homes available for sale or rental; his plans to address the issue of financial disincentives as part of this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16043/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), also known as the Fair Deal Scheme, was published by the Minister for Health in July 2015. A Working Group is overseeing the implementation of its recommendations, including any legislative changes that may be required.
Action 17 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector undertakes to examine the treatment under the NHSS’s financial assessment of income from the rental of a person’s principal private residence (PPR), where they move into long-term residential care. This examination aims to explore the potential to encourage vacant accommodation to be brought into active use.
My Department is currently engaging with the Department of Health in relation to this action. The Department of Health has received legal advice that changes to the treatment of rental income in the Fair Deal Scheme would require primary legislation. Both Departments are exploring proposals to enable vacant properties owned by patients in long-term nursing home care to be brought back into early use, through adjustments to the treatment of rental income and house sale proceeds derived from a PPR in the financial assessment of income for the purposes of the Fair Deal Scheme.
It will remain a personal choice for any individual as to whether or not they wish to sell or rent out their home upon taking up residence in a nursing home.
