A three-year cap on the financial contributions of family farms and businesses when calculating the cost of nursing home care will bring peace of mind to farming and business communities across the country, according to North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has said.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly known as the Fair Deal scheme, passed through all stages of the Seanad earlier this week and was signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins today, 22nd July 2021.
Cllr. O’Shea said, “This legislation has been eagerly awaited by families up and down this country. I’ve been inundated with calls from people wondering about the progress of this legislation; when it will come into effect, and today, it has finally come to fruition”.
“The legislation now allows for a three-year cap on the financial contributions of family owned and operated farms or businesses, when calculating the cost for nursing home care. It’s a fundamental change to the previous scheme and will apply where a family successor commits to working the farm or business.
Cllr. O’Shea added We’ve all heard stories of families forced to sell their land to simply pay for long-term care for elderly family members. This is a huge legacy issue for the family and impacts their business and livelihood into the future. Families that have felt disenfranchised, some of whom have been burdened with a legacy of debt, can now be assured they have the same entitlements to healthcare and support as everyone else”.
