New legislation will cap Fair Deal charges at 22.5% of assets value

Existing annual levy of 7.5% on assets such as farmland challenged farm or business viability

For persons availing of the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal),  the maximum charge on their properties for nursing care services will be 22.5% of value, in legislation now making its way through the Oireachtas.

Owners of farms or businesses will be able to operate in the knowledge that the maximum charge on their properties for persons receiving nursing care services will be 22.5% of value, provided all of the future conditions of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme are met, said Minister of State at the Department of Health Mary Butler, as the legislation to amend the scheme was moved to Committee Stage in the Oireachtas.

She said the core aims of the legislation are to ensure fair treatment for farm and business-owning families, without impacting negatively on the future sustainability of the scheme, thereby preserving access to care for those who need it.