IFJ: Does Trouble Lie Ahead For Farmers In Changes In The Fair Deal Scheme.

Thursday, 14 October 2021 11:55

There are around 2,300 farming families in Kildare.

https://twitter.com/farmersjournal/status/1448400674061012995?s=20There are fears that changes to the Fair Deal scheme may create havoc for farming families.

The means-tested scheme allows people to fund their nursing home care, and is capped.

At present, 80% of an applicants' income is included in the assessment, 7.5% of the value of any assets per year

ttps://twitter.com/farmersjournal/status/1448400674061012995?s=20However, the family farm is counted as an asset, even if it isn't possibly to liquify that asset and continue to farm.

In instances were the applicant does not have the income or assets to contribute to the cost of their care, the HSE effectively lends the money to the applicant.

This is then clawed-back from the person's estate, or the beneficiaries of their will.

Aisling Meehan is a Solicitor at the Irish Farmers' Journal.

She joined Clem Ryan on Thursday's edition of Kildare Today.

Inside this week's @farmersjournal: Farmers scathing of stagnant budget and farmers feel government wants to regulate them out of business.
Only in the Irish Farmers Journal, On sale now. pic.twitter.com/6NZu7TuSnd
— Irish Farmers Journal (@farmersjournal) October 13, 2021

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