Nursing home cases 'would cost €6bn'

PAYING damages to every person from whom the State illegally deducted nursing home charges would cost up to €6 billion, Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney said yesterday.

In advance of a special Cabinet meeting to discuss the issue tomorrow,

Ms Harney said the excessive cost to the taxpayer was the reason why the Government was strongly opposing 80 cases in which families and relatives of those affected were seeking damages.