Nusing home fees Bill passed

The Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006 has passed all stages in the Oireachtas and has been forwarded President Mc Aleese for her signature, Senator Terry Leyden announced today.

After this Bill has been signed, the first payments to those charged nursing home fees for publicly-funded long stay care will be made immediately, as they have already been pre-processed.

It is hoped that payments to living persons will be completed this Autumn.

According to Senator Leyden, the average repayment will be between €10,000 and €16,000, with some going as high as €60,000 – €100,000.

"Services facilities in public nursing homes must meet standards," said Senator Leyden.

"In the Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon there are over 200 residents, yet there is no canteen and no shop, so patients cannot even spend the money that they have.

"If the state is charging for care, the state must provide the facilities to justify these charges."