Legislation on payment to pensioners condemned

OPPOSITION parties will attempt to block moves by the Government to fast-track legislation today to close a legal loophole after it emerged that 20,000 pensioners were being illegally charged for nursing home care.

The Government confirmed yesterday that all full-time patients of public nursing homes, mental hospitals and residential units for people with disabilities will be entitled to a once-off ex gratia payment of up to €2,000 after the system used to take their contributions was found to be illegal.

The money will be paid back early next year.