For generations of Irish families, the family farm or local enterprise is much more than just a financial asset. It is more like a legacy that families pass down. However, when an elderly parent or loved one suddenly requires long-term residential care, families can face unprecedented stress from the looming financial burden.

Fair Deal Advice is a leading independent Fair Deal Scheme consultancy in Ireland that helps farming families navigate the complexities of elder care funding. A big part of their work is to justify the Nursing Home Support Scheme cost of care with a personalised approach.

Tom Murray, a qualified accountant and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA), heads up the firm under his accounting firm, Tom Murray & Associates. Tom puts a lot of effort into spreading awareness and extending all kinds of legal and technical know-how to support farming and business families to be proactive in planning long-term care for their loved ones.

“With the private cost of care in Irish nursing homes frequently exceeding €1,200 to €1,800 per week, families are often terrified that they will be forced to sell the land or liquidate a thriving small business just to keep up with the bills,” says Tom. "Fortunately, there are vital protections built into the state's framework, specifically the 3-year cap. Accessing these provisions requires careful navigation, strict compliance, and foresight, though," stated Tom Murray at a recent podcast session.

The Layout of the Nursing Home Support Scheme and the Cost of Care for Irish Farming Families

Under the Nursing Home Support Scheme (commonly known as the Fair Deal Scheme), an individual’s financial contribution towards their care is calculated based on their income and assets.

For general assets, such as savings or a second property, the 7.5% annual contribution applies indefinitely.

To protect the viability of Irish agriculture and family-run businesses, the Government introduced a crucial safeguard: the three-year cap on productive assets.

If a farm or business qualifies, the 7.5% annual charge on that specific asset is capped at three years (or 22.5% in total). After this period, the asset is no longer assessed, effectively keeping the farm in the family and the business doors open.

Yet, as the experts at Fair Deal Advice point out, this relief is not granted automatically. It is a complex bureaucratic process layered with strict conditions that can easily trip up an unprepared family.

"We speak to families every single week who are caught in a perfect storm of emotional worry and financial panic," explains Tom Murray. "When a parent falls ill, the last thing a son or daughter wants to worry about is whether the milking parlour or the shop on the main street will have to be sold to pay the HSE,” Tom pointed out.

According to Tom, the three-year cap is an absolute lifeline for Irish families. The criteria, however, are incredibly rigid. You have to prove that a family successor has committed to running the asset for at least six years, and there are strict timelines for when and how the application must be submitted. A single mistake on the paperwork can delay approval by months, leaving families to shoulder the full private cost of care out of their own pockets in the meantime.

How Fair Deal Advice Helps Applicants

As an independent advisory firm, Fair Deal Advice has successfully helped hundreds of families across the Republic of Ireland with their nursing home care cost assessments and broader financial guidance. Rather than leaving families to struggle with dense forms and confusing legal jargon, the firm steps in to provide clarity and peace of mind.

The firm also provides comprehensive financial assessments, outside of the HSE’s assessment, to give the applicants a realistic idea of what to expect. Fair Deal Advice ensures that families not only understand their true financial liability but also ensure their application can legitimately leverage the three-year cap and other scheme benefits to their absolute maximum advantage.

"Our goal is simple: we want to ensure that elderly parents receive the high-quality care they deserve, without it dismantling the life's work they intended to leave behind for their children," Murray added. "We know the Irish landscape, we know how much the land means to people, and we know exactly how the nursing home support scheme operates from the inside out. With the right advice at the right time, families can absolutely protect their heritage whilst securing excellent care."

The firm’s hands-on approach means they deal directly with the often-overwhelming administrative heavy lifting. From identifying the correct valuation of agricultural land to ensuring the family successor conditions are properly documented and legally sound, Fair Deal Advice acts as a dedicated advocate for the family.

Connect with Fair Deal Advice Before You Make Your Application

Fair Deal Advice strongly encourages families not to wait for a medical emergency or a sudden hospital discharge before seeking financial guidance. Early succession planning and a clear understanding of the scheme's requirements are the most effective ways to safeguard assets.

For further information on how to protect your family farm or business or to arrange a confidential nursing home care cost assessment, families are encouraged to contact Fair Deal Advice directly.

Visit the website https://fairdealadvice.ie/