Paying for care
The Fair Deal Scheme, explained
Officially the Nursing Home Support Scheme. This page explains it in plain English — no jargon, no assumptions about what you already know.
What Fair Deal is
Fair Deal is a State scheme that helps people pay for long-term nursing home care. You apply to the HSE. If you are approved, you pay a contribution towards the cost of your care and the State pays the rest.
How much you pay
There is no single figure. The HSE works out your contribution based on your own circumstances — your income and your assets — following a financial assessment. Two people in the same home can pay very different amounts.
Because the HSE makes that calculation, not us, we cannot tell you in advance what you will pay. What we can do is tell you our fees and explain exactly what is and is not included, so there are no surprises later.
What Fair Deal covers
- Your bed in the home
- All meals (board)
- Nursing care and personal care
- Laundry
- Basic aids and appliances needed for everyday care
What it does not cover
- Medication — usually covered instead by the Medical Card
- Hairdressing
- Chiropody
- Physiotherapy
- Social programmes and outings
- Some dressings
- Newspapers
- Personal telephone charges
What that means in practice
The items in the second list are paid for separately, either by the resident or by the family. Most are small and occasional — a haircut, a newspaper, a chiropody appointment — but it is better to know about them at the start than to be surprised by a bill.
The private option
Not everybody uses Fair Deal. You can also pay privately, which some families prefer, particularly for shorter stays or while a Fair Deal application is being processed. Ask us and we will set out the fees clearly.
Where to get help with the application
Applications are made to the HSE, and the local Nursing Homes Support Office can guide you through the forms. If you are applying while your relative is in hospital, the medical social worker there will usually help. We are also happy to talk you through what to expect from our side.