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RURAL POLITICIANS AND farmers have said that the planned reforms of the Fair Deal nursing home scheme need to be implemented to remove the “blatant discrimination” that currently exists.
The Irish Independent reported this morning that planned changes to the scheme may be delayed or stopped after the Attorney General stepped in to voice concern about the proposals.
The report states that the AG warned against a scheme that could favour farmers over other business owners.
The Fair Deal nursing home scheme was introduced six years ago and allows elderly people contribute towards their own care in a home using their assets.
Criticism of the scheme stems from the fact inheritances and family businesses such as farms are taken as means-tested assets – in theory making the passing down of a farm for example from one generation to the next more precarious.
Lobby groups such as the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association have called for a number of reforms including a reduction in the time the farm can be used as part-payment for the nursing home care.
Both groups want that time reduced from five years to three.
The review has dragged on for too long and farm families who are concerned about the cost of care for elderly parents would welcome some certainty.
Last year’s Programme for Government promised to address what it called “discrimination against small business and family farms” as part of the Fair Deal scheme.
The Rural Independent Group passed a motion in the Dáil in May attempting to speed up the reforms and one of its members Mattie McGrath TD said this morning that he was frustrated with the apparent fresh delay.
“We also called for the introduction of a reduced charge on the farm or business assets that removes the uncertainty for farm families and the self-employed and which protects the future viability of the farm or business asset for future generations,” the Tipperary deputy said.
The majority of the Dáil voted in support of those measures and that vote must be respected and honoured by the government and indeed the Attorney General.
“The Attorney General has a constitutional obligation to represent the public in the assertion or protection of their public rights, one of which is clearly the need to remove discriminatory measures that take no account of the unique nature of the family farm and its role in Irish society,” he added.
Asked this morning about the proposed reforms to the Fair Deal scheme, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he hoped it would be achieved but that legislation would be needed to achieve the government’s goals.
“They do have to be treated equally, a farm is a working asset, but so is a shop. If you own a shop, if you own a business or a shop, those are working assets too so our intention is to remove any discrimination against farmers and business owners and to treat them equally, ” Varadkar said.
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Tragic. May she rest in peace.
RIP Philipa ..you worked in a noble proffesion and you are beautiful. You will be sorely missed by family and friends.
Very sad to hear about this, these people risk their lives everyday to protect us.
Rip
RIP. The thin blue line is a little thinner today. May justice prevail.
So sad RIP
Tragic news, Philippa was far too young to leave this world,condolences to her her family..
Such a tragedy. For someone who clearly wanted to make a difference with their life.
Rest in peace .
How do some folk red thumb condolences? It’s shameful.
Mike
These are the same people who red thumbed condolences for Adrian Donohoe.
They are mostly bitter twisted headcases who would model themselves as republicans but are in fact a slur on the term.
Why do some people always insist on making inane comments about red thumbs, followed by the predictable “they’re twisted” ,and then then the enlightened “sometimes they hit it by accident when browsing from smartphones”.
Something to do with free speech Joe.
It’s a nonsense cliched distraction from the sentiment of serious and tragic articles.
Because where ever you go you will find Lowlife shitbags.
Here Here Justin Well Said.
Joe
I will have to leave it to you & your more highly developed intellect to come up with a suitable way of describing those who would red thumb expressions of sympathy for a murder victim then.
Ignore the red thumbs, and dont give oxygen to the problem, or distract from the article.
RIP to this fine PSNI officer.
The negative thumbs down… Sick of it.. She was doing her job.. A teacher turned cop… She would have climbed the ranks… Rip..
This fine officer made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of her community. Another sad example of the extreme dangers faced by the women and men of our police forces, north and south, as they seek to bring criminals to justice and protect all of us. May she rest in peace and may justice prevail.
R.I.P
Very sad news!!
RIP …thoughts are with family, colleagues and friends
Horrific…. RIP
R.I.P
Very sad!!!!!!!!!!
Another brave officer murdered by cowards , rip what a sad state of affairs. Hero
very sad news i just hope her family can take heart from the fact she lived life to protect and save others
go raibh maith agat
Philippa the World Is a Sadder Place Without You. Rest In Peace. Another Hero Police Officer Killed Doing Her Duty Protecting Decent People. By The Lowest Form Of Human Shitbags This Country Can Produce North And South. RIP Garda Adrian Donohue. May Ye Patrol The Streets In Heaven Together.
My condolences to family and friends.
RIP Philippa. Such an awful tragedy.
Re the red thumbs, did journal ever consider that those might be accidental because most people are right handed and scroll with the right hand on the right hand side of the mobile devices? I’m left handed so i scroll on the left. Why not put up an “r u sure?’ Button??
Siobhan
The odd one here & there I could accept as accidental but they are on every post & up to 25% in places.
It is not only here, it happened on the Adrian Donohoe threads as well. Sad, but that is the country we are living in & we may as well face up to it.
Very sad. Nobody should die like that. Real policing.
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