Martin set to be cleared by report into nursing home charges

MICHÉAL MARTIN is set to be cleared today of any oversight in his handling of the illegal charging of public nursing home patients during his term as Minister for Health.

The report into the illegal deductions of pensions by the State is expected to conclude that, given the significance of the issue, it was never brought to Mr Martin’s attention by civil servants in an appropriate manner.

This morning, Health Minister Mary Harney will bring the report by former Forfás chief John Travers to the Cabinet with a view to publishing it in the afternoon. The bill for the repayments to more than 300,000 pensioners, their families and estates could hit €2 billion.