Skip to main content

Warning notification:Warning

Unfortunately, you are using an outdated browser. Please, upgrade your browser to improve your experience with HSE. The list of supported browsers:

  1. Chrome
  2. Edge
  3. FireFox
  4. Opera
  5. Safari

About the Fair Deal scheme

This page is an overview of how the Fair Deal scheme works.

There is more detailed advice and examples if you want to find out about:

How Fair Deal works

If you're approved for Fair Deal, you pay a certain amount towards the total cost of nursing home care and HSE pays the balance.

For example, if the amount you've been told to pay is €400 a month and the nursing home costs €1200 a month, HSE will pay the balance of €800.

Your payment is a fixed amount. It will be the same for any approved nursing home, no matter how much it charges.

While you wait for funding you can choose to pay privately for care. Fair Deal funding cannot be backdated and will only be paid from the date it is approved.

Fair Deal: how much you pay towards care

How to apply for Fair Deal

You’ll need to complete the application form.

Download the Irish version of the form

We will then contact you to arrange a:

If your application is approved, you will get financial support towards your nursing home costs.

Apply for Fair Deal

Information:

You can also choose to apply for an optional nursing home loan as part of the Fair Deal application.

Nursing home costs

Find a list of approved nursing homes and how much they charge per week:

The listed prices are the weekly cost in full. If you get funding, this cost will be split between you and the HSE.

Finding the right nursing home

Not covered by Fair Deal 

The Fair Deal scheme does not cover:

  • short-term care such as respite, convalescent or day-care
  • extra fees charged by the nursing home for services like hairdressing, therapies or activities

Ask your nursing home what extra fees will need to be paid. These will be included in your contract with the nursing home.

Contact us

We know the application process can be complicated.

If you need support or have a question that’s not answered here, contact us at:

Page last reviewed: 1 October 2022