Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
765. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation as regards the revised arrangements under the fair deal nursing home support scheme as regards the treatment of working farms and the way this asset is assessed in circumstances where the farm is in a long-term lease as part of a farm partnership arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51500/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as 'Fair Deal', is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. The primary legislation underpinning the NHSS is the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. Participants in the NHSS contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021 was enacted in July 2021 to cap contributions on farm and business assets at three years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset. The stated policy objective of the legislation is to introduce additional safeguards in the NHSS to protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses that will be passed down to the next generation of the family to continue to work them as productive assets to provide for their livelihood. In order to qualify for the relief offered under the legislation, a member of the family would have to be actively working the farm and also commit to working the productive asset for a substantial part of their working time for a period of six years. The reliefs offered are also subject to certain other conditions being met. Regarding a long-term lease arrangement, whether a farm partnership arrangement is eligible to receive the reliefs offered is conditional upon the criteria outlined in the legislation being met. Further advice in respect of this can be obtained from a local Nursing Homes Support Scheme Office.
