Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if further time can be given to the representatives of a person (details supplied) who are attempting to dispose of some of the assets to meet the outstanding nursing home charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20705/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRevenue’s role in the Nursing Home Support Scheme is confined to that of collection agent for the Health Service Executive (HSE) in respect of loan funding that falls due for repayment.
The repayment date for monies loaned is set out in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Collection and Recovery of Repayable Amounts) Regulations 2009 (Statutory Instrument No. 436 of 2009), which provides that payment of any outstanding liability must be made within one year of the date of death of the care recipient. The legislation also provides that any payment made after this date is subject to interest.
I am aware that the Deputy previously made representations on this issue in October 2016 requesting additional time for repayment pending the sale of an asset, which Revenue agreed to. Revenue has informed me that no progress has been made on that sale during the intervening years and the debt remains outstanding with interest continuing to accumulate. Revenue has also advised me that it recently wrote to the Accountable Person seeking an update and was informed that there is still no timeframe for completion of the asset sale.
While Revenue always seeks to adopt a practical approach in such situations, it cannot postpone collection indefinitely and I would urge the Deputy to advise the Accountable Person to agree a payment schedule as quickly as possible.
