Fair Deal calculator
Work out the weekly and yearly contribution under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, and how much of the nursing home fee the HSE pays.
This is an estimate based on the published Fair Deal rules. The HSE makes the financial assessment and counts income and assets in detail, including assets transferred in the last 5 years. Check with your local Nursing Homes Support Scheme office or Citizens Information before deciding. Terms of use.
How the Fair Deal contribution is calculated
- Take 80% of assessable income: income after income tax, USC and PRSI, less allowed deductions such as health expenses and some housing costs. You keep at least 20% of your income, or 20% of the maximum State Pension (Non-Contributory) if that is more.
- Add up assets, take off the first €36,000 (€72,000 for a couple), and take 7.5% of the rest a year. Divide by 52 for a weekly figure. The home counts only for the first 3 years in care.
- For a couple, use half of the combined income and assets.
- Add the two. The HSE pays the rest of the nursing home's agreed price.
Example. A single person has income of €400 a week, savings of €100,000 and a home worth €300,000. The contribution is €320.00 from income, €92.31 from savings (7.5% of €64,000, divided by 52) and €432.69 from the home: €845.00 a week in total. In a nursing home costing €1,300 a week, the HSE pays €455.00. With the Nursing Home Loan, the person pays €412.31 a week now and the home part is repaid from the estate. After 3 years the contribution falls to €412.31.
If the same figures belonged to a couple with combined income of €800 and one partner going into care, the contribution would be €556.54 a week.
These are the same steps as the worked examples in the HSE's information booklet.
Sources
Rates last checked 10 October 2026. Every figure is listed on rates and sources.
Figures marked as announced come from Budget 2027 and are not law until the Finance Act 2026 is signed.