Nursing home fees continued despite review

The Government reportedly continued to levy illegal nursing home fees on thousands of older people and medical card holders despite a comprehensive review of the charges in the early 1990s.

Reports this morning said the review highlighted "anomalies, grey areas and other difficulties" in relation to the fees, but no changes were made by the Department of Health.

The review was reportedly initiated in 1991 after the Commission on Health Funding expressed concern about the charges and recommended a change in the law.

The State is currently facing a compensation bill of up to €1bn due to the illegal charges, which were levied from 1976 to late last year, when the Attorney General warned that they were legally unsound.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court ruled that the Government's attempt to retrospectively legalise the fees was unconstitutional.

People who believe they are entitled to repayments are being urged to contact a free Health Services Executive helpline (1800 77 77 37) between 9am and 5.30pm from Monday to Friday.