Refunds will not affect pensions, says Harney

THE lump sums elderly people receive from the refunding of illegal nursing home charges will not affect their pensions, Tánaiste Mary Harney has indicated.

The announcement was welcomed last night by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.

“This has been a concern to thousands of elderly people who had money taken from them illegally, and it would have been extremely unfair and unjust if, following receipt of monies refunded, they would have been considered ‘too wealthy’ to receive the full pension,” Mr Kenny said.