Nursing care out of reach, says Mitchell

Nursing care is now beyond the reach of the average person, Fine Gael health spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell TD said today.

"Ten years ago the Nursing Home subvention provided 60% of the weekly cost of a bed. Today that subvention represents less than one third of the cost. Even when added to the average pension the shortfall is at least 50%.

"Far from saving money, the miserly subvention is forcing increasing numbers back into total dependence on the State," said Deputy Mitchell.