Finding the Right Nursing Home Under the Fair Deal Scheme in Ireland

If you are considering the Nursing Home Support Scheme in Ireland, either for yourself or a family member, the best time to look for a nursing home is simultaneously with or before your application. 

Once approved, candidates can immediately move to the nursing home. So choosing it beforehand saves you from paying the cost of care for nothing. 

On the other hand, even with approval, there might not be a place immediately available in your preferred nursing home. Timing is a big factor, which is why families must integrate their application to the Fair Deal Scheme in Ireland with the choice of nursing home. Let’s brush up on your knowledge on this. 

How The Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) Works

Long-term care funding from the Nursing Home Support Scheme in Ireland is available in nursing homes that are HSE-approved and regulated by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). A wide range of public, voluntary and private nursing homes are covered. 

The Nursing Home Support Scheme in Ireland is a state-subsidised system for long-term residential care. Participants make a means-tested contribution: 

• 80% of their annual income, which is to be paid over a weekly or monthly format 
• 7.5% of the value of their assets, such as home, property, farm and business, which is paid yearly

The state covers the balance of the remaining cost of care. 

The entire application process, from submission to approval, generally takes about 4 to 6 weeks, though it can take up to 12 weeks in some cases. The funding is calculated from the date of approval and not from the day you move to the care home. So if you are still waiting to move, you’d still be paying your cost of care without practically using it. The funding cannot be backdated to your admission date. 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Nursing Home Care

Whether you are choosing a public, private or voluntary nursing home, you can find a checklist of them all on HSE and HIQA’s websites. HIQA also offers free digital tools to navigate Fair Deal Scheme nursing homes in your area.  

• What’s Covered: The Fair Deal Scheme covers bed, boarding, approved care needs and laundry services. If you have additional needs, you have to speak with the nursing home and plan the costs. 
• The Contract of Care: The contract of care is the legal agreement between the resident and the care home that outlines the entire arrangement. This document is supposed to be tailored to the care needs of each individual, and many terms are eligible for negotiation, such as unfair fees or care coverage according to your changing needs. If your needs change, so do the terms. Families must pay heed to understanding the terms and ensure fair implementation. 
• Compliance History: Before committing to a nursing home, review its latest HIQA inspection reports carefully. These reports provide insight into staffing levels, governance, infection control, residents’ rights, and how previous non-compliance issues were addressed. Repeated findings in key areas may indicate systemic challenges, while strong follow-up actions often reflect good management and accountability.
• Waiting List and Transitions: Waiting lists are common before the nursing home is ready for admission. Families must stay abreast of expected timelines, interim arrangements (such as short-term care), and the coordination of admission once funding is approved. Planning this transition properly can prevent unnecessary financial strain and emotional stress.

The Value of Independent Guidance

Applying for the Fair Deal Scheme in Ireland involves financial disclosure, asset valuation, documentation, and strict timelines. Even small errors or omissions can delay approval, affect contribution calculations, or complicate the transition to care.

You can seek independent guidance from a Fair Deal Scheme consultant in Ireland to ensure there is no gap in your application process. Independent advisory services not only share information but also help you with paperwork, ensure contributions are correctly calculated, ensure property considerations are understood, and help manage the move to care smoothly.

An informed and carefully prepared application does more than secure funding — it provides peace of mind during what is often a significant life transition.