Govt under fire over nursing-home compensation case

The Government is coming under fire from the opposition today over its apparent decision to contest a claim for compensation arising out of the illegal nursing-home charges scandal.

Fine Gael says it has obtained a copy of the defence being mounted against a compensation claim lodged by the family of a former public nursing home resident.

The family is seeking compensation from the State for being charged for the nursing home care under a practice declared illegal by the Supreme Court last year.

Fine Gael says the defence being mounted includes a denial of responsibility on behalf of Minister for Health Mary Harney, the Attorney General and the Health Services Executive.

Party leader Enda Kenny has accused Ms Harney of dishonesty on the matter, saying she promised last May that everyone affected by the illegal charges since December 1998 would be repaid in full.