Nursing home laws ‘put elderly homeowners at risk’

FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny last night warned that vulnerable elderly people face losing out because of new Health Service Executive (HSE) rules which take into account the value of their homes.

Mr Kenny called for parts of the Nursing Homes Bill going through the Oireachtas to be halted while the financial implications for homeowners are probed.

“This bill, which will require the HSE to take into account 5% of the value of an applicant’s house when he or she is applying for nursing home subvention, is the cause of considerable concern to a great number of elderly people,” he said.