Plans to widen Nursing Homes Support Scheme to benefit farmers
Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler has announced plans to amend the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to broaden the definition of who could act as the family successor, to improve the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses.
Previously, to support farmers, in July 2021 Minister Butler brought the Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2021 through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
This change to the scheme means that after a period of three years, the value of family-owned farms and businesses will no longer be considered when calculating the cost of a person’s nursing home care.
This will happen where a family successor commits to working the farm or business.
The act extended the existing three-year cap on contributions to the cost of care to the proceeds of sale of a person’s principal residence.
It is intended that this change will remove any disincentive for people who want to sell their vacant home while in Fair Deal.
Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships, Minister Butler, said: "The 2021 Act amended the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly known as Fair Deal, to enhance protections for family farms and businesses. This introduced a three-year cap on contributions from family farm and business assets, provided that a family successor is appointed to run the asset for at least six years and other conditions are met.
“I’m pleased my officials in the Department of Health are now in the process of further amending the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to broaden the definition of who could act as the family successor. Even though cousins have been the main request for inclusion, to avoid challenges and to be consistent, all family members with an equivalent order of relationship to the resident will be included.,” Minister Butler said.
This will expand those eligible to act as family successor to cousins, great-nephews and great-nieces, and great-grandchildren of either the resident or their partner.
“This change is again essential to the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses,” the Minister argued.
MEP Billy Kelleher welcomed the changed announced by Minister Butler.
“This is a very welcome change and something I, and other Fianna Fáil public representatives have called for in recent years.
“I am delighted that Minister Butler has engaged with us and listened to our concerns and is now legislating for these changes.
“As an MEP, I am committed to standing up for Ireland’s traditional model of family farming. This is an important step and I will continue to work with farm organisations to deliver on this commitment,” concluded Kelleher.