State urged to amend nursing home scheme after loophole found

THE GOVERNMENT has been urged to amend the Fair Deal nursing home scheme after it emerged entire farm holdings could be confiscated by the state as payment for care.

Fine Gael agriculture spokesman Michael Creed, TD, said the loophole was exposed by his colleague Paul Connaughton, TD, during a debate in the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee.

“This scheme, which places a 5% charge over a maximum three-year period on the family home, has no limitation clause concerning what other assets can be absorbed by the state,” he said.