Farming groups in Clare are urging the government to protect their assets when it comes to paying for nursing home care.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned that farmers won’t get preferential treatment over other business owners under the Fair Deal Scheme.
They insist they’re only looking for equal treatment, but say it’s important the scheme is changed to ensure families throughout Ireland aren’t forced to sell off land.
Clare FM’s James Mulhall has more:
The Fair Deal Scheme is a nursing home support programme which sees the cost of care covered with a combination of state funding and finances from the person entering care.
As it stands, this is made up of a combination from 80 percent of a person’s assessable income – including pensions – as well as the value of their assets.
This means 7.5 percent of the value of their home or business can be taken annually – and while there’s a three year cap on this on houses, there is no limit for farms or small businesses.
General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association is Cratloe native Eddie Punch.
He feels this is unfair on farmers throughout Clare and Ireland.
Concerns have also been raised about the knock-on impact of the scheme on the next generation.
In theory, where nursing home care is prolonged, an entire farm could have to be sold to meet the costs of care.
Farmers have claimed this is not fair on the heir to the land – who is depending on the farm as their long-term livelihood.
A review of the Fair Deal Scheme is set to be completed by the end of this year.
