Details have emerged of a HSE report into patients awaiting a place in a nursing home.

It looks at the reasons why the 705 so-called bed blockers haven't been discharged, even though they no longer need to be in hospital.

According to the Irish Independent, nearly three quarters of those are awaiting some kind of long term care.

And over 200 of those are waiting for funding, or for Fair Deal applications to be processed so they can go to another facility.

Earlier this month, the Health Minister said he wants to end the budget cap on the 'Fair Deal' nursing home scheme as part of the bid to tackle the numbers on trolleys in our Emergency Departments.

Currently there is a limited amount in the budget to spend - but Leo Varadkar says he wants it changed so that funding can be provided for all those looking for it.

Minister Varadkar says a number of measures will be rolled out in the coming weeks, but better funding of nursing home care will have to be addressed.