Reforms to Fair Deal could be a ‘game-changer’

THOUSANDS more homes may be released to the market under proposed reforms to the Fair Deal scheme than was initially thought, the Irish Mail on Sunday has learned.

Originally it was believed that between 2,500 and 4,000 homes would be unlocked across the country by proposals to reform the current system, under which 80% of rental income from the homes of nursing home patients is claimed by the HSE.

However, extended negotiations between the HSE and the Department of Housing has revealed that 4,000 homes in Dublin alone could be released to the market. Sources told the MoS yesterday that the overall figure nationwide could be as high as 10,000 to 12,000. The disclosure came as a ‘surprise’ to the Department of Health, which previously thought the figure ‘would be much lower’.

A 2016 survey by the CSO of the reasons why homes were vacant across the country revealed that a minimum of 865 houses were empty in Dublin, specifically because of the Fair Deal scheme.

Senior political sources said that while talks ‘are ongoing, the actual amount of vacant homes we are uncovering is a game-changer’.