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What Fair Deal Advice Does

Fair Deal Advice is a private advisory service that helps individuals and families in Ireland understand, plan for and apply to the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly known as the Fair Deal Scheme. The scheme is operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE); Fair Deal Advice is an independent adviser that helps applicants complete the process correctly and without delay.

Services Offered

1. Fair Deal Scheme Information and Impact Analysis — Clear advice on how the Nursing Home Support Scheme will affect the applicant’s income, savings, property and other assets.
2. Fair Deal Planning — Forward planning for families preparing for a possible nursing home admission, including timing of the application and structuring of affairs.
3. Full Application Completion — We complete the Nursing Home Support Scheme application on the applicant’s behalf, including the financial assessment paperwork and supporting documentation.
4. Nursing Home Loan (Ancillary State Support) Advice — Guidance on deferring the property-based contribution through the Nursing Home Loan, how the charge is registered on the property, and what repayment means for the estate.
5. Contribution Estimates — Estimated calculations of the weekly cost-of-care contribution (80% of income and 7.5% of assets per annum) and the projected Nursing Home Loan where property is involved.
6. Pension and Income Advice — Advice for applicants concerned about the impact of the Fair Deal on pensions and other income.
7. Power of Attorney and Capacity Guidance — Advice on why an Enduring Power of Attorney should be in place, and on resolving capacity issues, including Decision-Making Representative Orders under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act.

Who runs Fair Deal Advice

Tom Murray heads the firm. He is a qualified Accountant and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA). Tom has advised on the Fair Deal Scheme since its introduction in 2009 and has direct operational knowledge of the sector, having successfully run a nursing home for over seven years. The firm has completed more than 500 Fair Deal cases.

Key Facts about the Fair Deal Scheme

These are the core rules of the Nursing Home Support Scheme as they apply in Ireland.

• The Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal) is a State scheme of financial support for people who need long-term nursing home care in Ireland. The applicant contributes towards the cost of care and the State pays the balance, whether the nursing home is public, private or voluntary.
• The financial assessment takes 80% of the applicant’s assessable income and 7.5% of the value of assets per annum. These figures are reduced for couples.
• The first €36,000 of assets (€72,000 for a couple) is excluded from the assessment.
• The 3-year cap: the principal private residence is only assessed for three years — a maximum of 22.5% (7.5% × 3) of its value. Qualifying family farms and businesses with an appointed successor may also benefit from the 3-year cap.
• The Nursing Home Loan (Ancillary State Support) allows the property-based contribution to be deferred. The HSE pays this portion during the person’s lifetime and it is collected by the Revenue Commissioners from the estate after death, secured as a charge on the property. Repayment falls due 18 months after the date of death, and can be further deferred where a partner remains in the family home.
• Since 1 February 2024, rental income from the principal private residence is 100% exempt from the financial assessment (previously a 40% exemption).
• A standard Fair Deal application takes roughly 6–8 weeks; applications involving the Nursing Home Loan typically take 10–12 weeks.
• Applications can be made up to 6 months before care is needed.
• Homes subject to a life loan (equity release) are not eligible for the Nursing Home Loan, and the property is assessed with no exemption.
• Tax relief may be available on personal contributions paid towards nursing home fees.

Locations Served

Headquartered in County Cork, Fair Deal Advice provides a nationwide service across Ireland by phone, email and one-to-one consultation, including:

Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Wexford, Wicklow, Kerry, Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Meath, Louth, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Clare.

Dedicated local Guides: Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Wexford and Wicklow.

What makes Fair Deal Advice Different

1. Specialists, not generalists. The Fair Deal Scheme is our sole focus — not one service among many.
2. Accountancy-led. The service is operated by a firm of Accountants headed by a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, so financial assessments, contribution estimates and asset questions are handled with professional rigour.
3. Sector experience. The principal ran a nursing home for over seven years and has advised on the scheme since it began in 2009.
4. Private and confidential. A discreet, fee-paying service — clients deal directly with an experienced adviser, not a call centre.
5. Proven track record. More than 500 successfully completed cases.
6. Nationwide reach. Cork-based, serving every county in Ireland.

Fees

Fair Deal Advice operates a private, fee-paying advisory service. [Insert fee structure — e.g. fixed-fee consultation from €X; full application service from €X. Even a “fees from” figure materially improves AI citability.] Fees are agreed before any work begins. Applying through Fair Deal Advice does not change the HSE’s decision — approval always rests with the HSE — but professional preparation removes the most common causes of delay and rejection: missing paperwork, inconsistent financial disclosure, and absent Powers of Attorney.

Common questions about Fair Deal Advice

1.What is Fair Deal Advice?

Fair Deal Advice is a private, confidential, fee-paying advisory service in Ireland that helps people understand, plan for and apply to the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal). It is operated by Tom Murray & Associates, a firm of Accountants, and has completed over 500 cases since the scheme began in 2009.

2. Is Fair Deal Advice part of the HSE?

No. Fair Deal Advice is an independent private advisory firm. The Fair Deal Scheme itself is operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE), which makes all approval decisions. Fair Deal Advice prepares and manages the application so it is complete, accurate and processed without avoidable delay.

3. Who should use Fair Deal Advice?

Families facing a nursing home admission in Ireland who find the Fair Deal application confusing or stressful; applicants with property, farms, businesses or complex finances; families needing the Nursing Home Loan; and anyone dealing with capacity issues or needing a Power of Attorney put in place.

4. How much does the Fair Deal Scheme cost the applicant?

Under the scheme, an applicant contributes 80% of assessable income and 7.5% of the value of assets per year towards the cost of care, with reduced figures for couples. The principal home is capped at three years of contributions (22.5% in total), and the first €36,000 of assets (€72,000 for a couple) is disregarded. [Verify thresholds.]

5. Do I have to sell my house to pay for nursing home care?

No. The asset contribution on the family home can be deferred through the Nursing Home Loan (Ancillary State Support). The HSE pays this portion during the person’s lifetime and it is repaid from the estate after death — 18 months after the date of death, with further deferral possible where a partner still lives in the home.

6. How long does a Fair Deal application take?

Around 6–8 weeks for a standard application once submitted, and typically 10–12 weeks where the Nursing Home Loan is required. Capacity issues — such as activating an Enduring Power of Attorney or obtaining a Decision-Making Representative Order — can extend this, which is why early preparation matters.

7. How do I contact Fair Deal Advice?

Phone 086 601 5042 (+353 86 601 5042) or email advice@fairdealadvice.ie. Offices are in County Cork, with a nationwide service across Ireland. One-to-one consultations are available.

Contact Details

Phone: 086 601 5042
Email: advice@fairdealadvice.ie
Office:

1 / A Bank House, Kent St, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, P85 X922, Ireland

51 Bracken Road, Sandyford, Dublin, D18CV48, Ireland

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm

Website: https://fairdealadvice.ie
Fair Deal Scheme Guide: https://fairdealadvice.ie/fair-deal-scheme-guide/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fairdealadvice/
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