Louth Senator Erin McGreehan, has welcomed the publication of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No.2) Bill 2024 providing for amendments to the Health Act 2007 and the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009.

Senator McGreehan said the approval for the publication will mean better information and more integrated national planning across the nursing home sector and that more family members will be eligible to be considered as a ‘family successor’ to a family farm or business assets under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS).

She said: “Government approval to publish this Bill will mean improvements in the quality and safety of care for the benefit of residents, their families and the nursing home sector as a whole.

“Additionally, it will mean these new proposed amendments to the Fair Deal scheme will ensure the safeguards for family farms and businesses apply to the extended family including cousins and great-nieces, great-nephews and great-grandchildren, protecting the viability and sustainability of these businesses into the future. This is a really important change for those individuals who do not have immediate relatives.

“I welcome the Government’s approval to publish the Bill and will work closely with the Bill as it progresses through the Oireachtas in the coming months.”