The motion introduced by the rural independent group of TDs calls on the Government to conclude the review of the nursing home support scheme within three months and cut farm charges in the next budget.

TDs debated the motion on Wednesday night, with Clare independent TD Michael Hearty calling for the “immediate publication” of the recommendation of a working group established in 2015. “We call on the minister to introduce a progressive financial assessment system that will reflect the value of the asset and its income generating capacity, which will protect farm viability for future generations, while at the same time making a reasonable contribution towards nursing home care,” he added.

If somebody from a farming background survives 10 years in a nursing home, under the Fair Deal scheme as it is at the moment, over 70% of the farm is gone on debt

TDs representing Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Labour, Solidarity and independents all spoke in favour of the motion. “Currently, if somebody from a farming background survives 10 years in a nursing home, under the Fair Deal scheme as it is at the moment, over 70% of the farm is gone on debt as the 7.5% contribution charge on assets is applied per annum with no cap,” said Carlow-Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD Bobby Aylward.

Kerry independent TD and co-author of the motion Michael Healy-Rae said that farmers do not look on their farms as assets. “A farm is something they inherit and work to make what they can before transferring it on to the next generation. It is not like a bundle of cash in a bank,” he said. His brother and constituency colleague Danny added that selling part of the farm to pay off nursing home charges was not always possible as the family home is usually built on the land.

Budget 2018

Minister of State for Health Promotion Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said that farmers could avoid the charges under the current rules of the scheme by transferring their farm “well in advance of five years before nursing home care is required”. However, “the rate of people planning succession in an early manner is still not as good as it should be,” she added.

She and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Helen McEntee committed to introducing changes to the scheme “in the context of Budget 2018”.

A Government amendment removing the three-month deadline and the specific demands made by the rural independent group was defeated by three votes.

While she asked for more time to find a “sustainable and robust solution” Minister McEntee said: “I will prioritise and fast-track changes to the legislation to deal with the uncertainty that is being felt by farming and business families and to provide the certainty called for in line with the commitment made in the programme for Government.”

Read more

Full coverage: Fair Deal scheme