Changes to law to help bachelor farmers with care home costs

Because only specific people could be appointed as successors, bachelor farmers who did not have wives or partners, nieces or nephews, brothers-in-law or sisters-in-law were often excluded from availing of the three-year cap.

Farmers in nursing homes for up to six years could end up paying 45% of the value of their stock, lands or business.

Legislation now going through the Oireachtas will help farmers who require nursing home care but who do not have Fair Deal scheme "family successors".

The new legislation is designed to adjust the Fair Deal scheme (also known as the nursing home support scheme), which is run by the Health Service Executive (HSE).