You can apply for financial support to help pay for the cost of care in a nursing home through the Fair Deal scheme.
You can choose to pay privately for care while you wait for funding. Fair Deal funding can't be backdated and will only be paid from the date of approval.
There are 4 steps to the Fair Deal application process:
Complete the application form
Fill out the application form and include documents you need to send.
When you have completed this form, send it and the required documents to the Nursing Homes Support Office for your area (listed under Contacts below). We will let you know when we have received your application.
Undergo a care needs assessment
After receiving your application, you will be contacted to arrange a care needs assessment.
A public health nurse or medical professional will assess your:
You will receive a decision in writing after the assessment.
Financial assessment
A financial assessment will calculate how much you will pay towards the cost of nursing home care.
This amount depends on your income and assets.
If you have little income and assets, you pay less. If you have more income and assets, you pay more.
The amount your nursing home charges does not affect the amount you will pay.
For example: if the amount is calculated at €200 per week this will be the same whether the nursing home charges €770 per week or €1050 per week. We will pay the balance.
Your contribution is based on all of the following. You will pay:
The first €36,000 (€72,000 if you are part of a couple) is excluded from the assessment. This is excluded firstly from your cash assets and then any remainder from your non-cash assets.
Your home will only be included in the financial assessment for a period of 3 years. You will not pay more than 22.5% (11.25% if you have a part of a couple) of the value of your home. This cap can also extend to your farm or business.
You will receive a letter to confirm the amount you will pay, followed by a letter to confirm your funding approval.
Nursing home loan
Optionally, you can choose to apply for a nursing home loan.
You can apply for a nursing home loan if you own property in Ireland. This can be a house, land, business property or any other property in the State.
Applying for a nursing home loan can take several months. You should apply for the loan when you apply for Fair Deal funding. You do not need to accept the nursing home loan if you are approved.
You can choose to pay the loan back at any time. You do not have to pay the amount during your lifetime but it will be collected from your estate upon death.
If your partner is still living in your home after your death, they can apply for a deferral. This means the loan amount based on the home can be collected from their estate after their death.
If you want to apply for it, you should complete this section in the Fair Deal application form.
If a person is unable to apply themselves, a specified person may apply on their behalf. A specified person can be a:
If you receive Fair Deal funding, you can request a review of your financial assessment. You also need to tell us of any change in circumstances.
You can request another financial review 12 months after your last review. But we can review a financial assessment at any stage.
If your care needs assessment finds you do not need long-term care, you can apply for a review. You can do this 6 months after the assessment, or earlier if:
You must tell us if you or your partner’s circumstances change.
Contact your local Nursing Homes Support Office if you have any questions about your application.
When you have completed the application form, send it to the nursing homes support office in your area.
If you need help completing the form or have any questions you can call the HSELive team from 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 5pm on Saturdays.
Callsave: 1850 24 1850
Phone: 041 6850 300
Carlow and Kilkenny
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Community Services
James's Green
Kilkenny
Phone: 056 778 4761 and 056 778 4763 and 056 778 4769
Cavan and Monaghan
HSE Nursing Homes Support Scheme
HSE Offices
Town Hall Street
Cavan
Phone: 049 4377119
049 4377115
049 4377114
049 4377113
Cork and Kerry
Cork and Kerry
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Floor 1
Áras Sláinte
Wilton Road
Cork
Phone: 021 492 3536
021 492 3537
021 492 3538
021 492 3539
021 492 3540
021 492 3541
021 492 3542
Donegal
HSE Nursing Home Support Office
Donegal PCCC HQ
St Joseph's Hospital, Stranorlar
Lifford
Co Donegal
Phone: 074 919 1734 / 074 919 1740 / 074 919 1737
Dublin South, Wicklow and Kildare
HSE Nursing Home Support Office
2nd Floor Beech House
101-102 Naas Business Park
Naas
Co Kildare.
W91RC85
Phone: 045 920 000
Dublin North City and County
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Civic Office
Main Street
Ballymun
Dublin 9
Phone: 01 846 7148
Galway
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Lá Nua
Ballybane Neighbourhood Village
Castlepark Road
Ballybane
Galway
Phone: 091 748 485
Laois and Offaly
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Bury Quay
Tullamore
Co. Offaly
Phone: 057 932 7834
057 932 7821
057 932 7830
Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
St Joseph's Hospital
Mulgrave Street
Limerick
Phone: 061 461 499
Longford and Westmeath
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Health Centre
Longford Road
Mullingar
Co Westmeath
Phone: 044 939 4995
Louth and Meath
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Unit 3 Ardee Business Park
Hale Street
Ardee
Co Louth
Phone: 041 687 1515
041 687 1525
Mayo
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
St Mary's Headquarters
Castlebar
Phone: 094 904 9176
Roscommon
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Government Buildings
Convent Road
Roscommon
Phone: 090 663 7561
090 663 7546
Sligo and Leitrim
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Markievicz House
Barrack Street
Sligo
Phone: 071 915 5193
Tipperary South
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Community Care Centre
Western Road
Clonmel
Phone: 052 617 7283
Waterford
Nursing Homes Support Office
Waterford Community
Services
Cork Road
Waterford
Phone: 051 842 963
Wexford
HSE Nursing Homes Support Office
Wexford Community Service
Georges Street
Wexford
Phone: 053 911 4316
053 911 4315