Call for tax relief for nursing home fees

A major economic research group is calling on the Government to introduce new tax relief benefits to families paying for nursing home care for their relatives.

The National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) also recommended that the remit of the Social Services Inspectorate be extended to include all care units for the elderly.

According to this morning's Irish Times, the NESF has also called for significant investment in community care facilities.

The report will be considered by the Government as part of a new initiative on services for the elderly later in the year.