How to Apply

for the Fair Deal Scheme in Ireland?

In order to qualify for the Fair Deal- Nursing Home Support scheme, the applicant must complete two assessments which are as follows:

1) The Care needs assessment. This is an assessment that looks at the care needs of the older person, their ability to live independently, ability to make everyday decisions and examines what available supports are at home and in the community. In order to qualify for the Fair Deal- Nursing Home Support Scheme the applicant’s assessment will need to recommend long term care as existing supports and home care will not meet the applicants care needs.

The Care needs assessment is carried out by healthcare professionals such as a Geriatrician or a District Health Nurse who will need to meet and assess the applicant.

2) The Financial Assessment. This looks at the income, assets and liabilities of the applicant and determines the applicant’s contribution to their cost of care and the corresponding level of financial assistance (“State Support”) that they will receive. Under the Scheme the applicant will pay 80% of their income and 7.5% of the value of any assets you may have per annum. These figures are reduced for couples.

3) Application for Ancillary State Support – The Nursing Home Loan

Under the Nursing Home Support Scheme, you do not have to pay the asset contribution during your lifetime. The HSE pays this element of your assessed contribution towards your cost of care which will be accumulated as a loan (Called the Nursing Home Loan) and collected by the Revenue Commissioners from your estate after your death. The loan will be registered as a charge on your property. Where you have a partner living in your family home this debt can be further deferred if funds are not available to pay the loan from your estate. This is a complex area and we will happily discuss how it will impact the applicant’s personnel circumstances.