About Us banner

Fair Deal Advice Blog

Welcome changes to the Fair Deal finally passed by Dail & Seanad

At long last the changes to the Fair Deal Scheme that will cap qualifying Farming and Business applicant’s contribution on their land and business values to 3 years were finally passed by the Dail and Seanad and signed into Law by President Michael D Higgins last week.

These long-awaited amendment to the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act were delayed for several years by Brexit, Covid and the change in Government.

Fair Deal
The changes will bring financial relief to Farming and Business Owners who previously had to continue to pay an asset contribution on their Farms and Business after three years which jeopardised their financial viability and, in some cases, prevented people of availing of long-term care as they could not afford the fees.

The changes will not however apply to all Farmer’s or Business Owners as one must qualify and meet certain criteria to do so. The amendments will not come into effect for 90 days and in the meantime, we await publication of guidelines by the HSE on how the amendments will work and how they can be applied for.

In a further positive development, a further amendment has been passed into law that will allow applicants to sell their home after 3 years in a Nursing Home and the proceeds will no longer be assessable. Previously if a property was sold after 3 years the exemption of the property from the asset assessment was lost. This change is designed to free up housing stock to deal with the housing crisis as it is estimated that there are circa 14,000 empty houses throughout the country owned by Nursing Home residents.

If you wish to find out more information on the above changes and the Fair Deal and how they may impact you now or in the future, please call on 086 601 5042 or email advice@fairdealadvice.ie or visit www.fairdealadvice.ie.

Excellent
Based on 28 reviews
Mary Collins-Smith
Mary Collins-Smith
2022-11-25
We contacted Tom for advice on my mothers care when my sister and I traveled to Ireland to visit our mother who was waiting to be discharged to a Nursing Home from CUH. His advice was thorough and he was able to assess my mothers financial needs very quickly. His expertise, follow up, and professionalism were highly evident. Tom sees things through and he takes his professional role seriously. We will continue to refer to Tom on my mothers loan application process for her care. I am relieved to have found someone like Tom to help us navigate the nursing home process. A million thanks, Tom for all your help! I am happy to know you.
Mary O'Driscoll
Mary O'Driscoll
2022-09-19
Tom is exceptional. His calm, reassuring expertise and ability cuts through the mind numbing complexity of the Fair Deal and supports when you are making difficult & heart-breaking decisions. Our Dad had died unexpectedly just days after our mother had transferred in an emergency situation into full-time care. Thus, the original Fair Deal application was null & void. We were dealing with grief, anxiety over our mother’s care and dread over how her care would be funded. After one discussion with Tom, a weight lifted off our shoulders and we had a clear approach to manage our revised Fair Deal application. If I had known of Tom’s existence, I would have persuaded my Dad to have spoken to him years ago. He would have put my Dad and all of us on the best financial pathway to not only provide the best care for my mother but would have removed the dread and fear that my Dad felt, believing he was going to lose everything trying to fund my mother’s care. My advice would be to contact Tom years in advance of needing care funding; ask him to do a Fair Deal financial assessment and create a financial plan. You will sleep better at night!
Jim Dore
Jim Dore
2022-08-26
I was directed to Tom by my attorney in July, regarding my mothers accelerated need for full time care. Living overseas and not knowing what I didn't know, Tom was a phenomenal resource to help me understand the ins & outs of the long term care options. It is by far the best investment one can make before proceeding down this path, absolutely invaluable advice & insight. Not cheap but you certainly get what you pay for - from the moment I reviewed everything with Tom, I had a huge sense of relief about the process.
Bastable-Warren Irish-Dancers
Bastable-Warren Irish-Dancers
2021-04-27
I have had the privilege of using the service on 2 separate occasions and I can honestly say that it was the most professional service I received in the area of providing advice around that fair deal System run by the HSE. The cost of the service was more than out weighed by the savings accrued as a result of Toms expertise and advice throughout (several thousand euro in savings) We were so lucky to have an expert such as Tom who provided information, expertise and most of all personal advice during the entire process and cannot thank him enough for his support and assistance.
Brian Mac manus
Brian Mac manus
2021-04-27
Tom Murray Fair Deal was a huge help to us. He guided us the whole way through. His advice is impeccable. He responds to phone calls and e mails immediately and produces documents almost in real time. I could not emphasise too strongly the help Tom provided. Worth every penny. Thanks Tom.
Bernie Walsh
Bernie Walsh
2021-04-26
I contacted Tom for advice regarding the Fair Deal Scheme as my mother required full time care in a nursing home. Tom's expertise and advice was invaluable. He made the whole daunting process very easy. He had a list of required documents (some that I didn’t know I would need). He took the pain and worry out of the whole process and put my mind at rest. I cannot recommend Tom and this service highly enough. I consider this to be money well spent. Thanks Tom.
Tracey Moloney
Tracey Moloney
2021-04-23
Once you make the first call to Tom regarding the Fair Deal Scheme , he makes it all very easy to understand and navigates you easily through the process. The thought of Fair Deal can be daunting for any family but with Tom's assistance and knowledge of the scheme it was an easy process.
Kieran Boyle
Kieran Boyle
2021-02-11
Excellent advice, very professional
Liz Lyons
Liz Lyons
2020-11-10
We contacted Tom with regard to my parents needing Nursing Home care and the Fair Deal process. Tom's advice was absolutely invaluable to us and without his help we wouldn't have been able to get through this daunting and difficult process. We can't thank him enough for his advice and support and would have no hesitation in recommending him.