Age Action has welcomed the announcement that there will be no increase in the contribution required from nursing home residents, following a review of the Fair Deal scheme, or Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
The Government has decided to establish a working group to oversee recommendations made in the review, which was published today.
The scheme asks older people to contribute towards their care while the State pays the balance.
Minister of State for Older People, Kathleen Lynch, spoke to Newstalk Lunchtime earlier today. She says it would be unfair to ask people to pay more:
Head of Advocacy and Communications at Age Action, Justin Moran, said, “many older people were worried they would be facing a reduction in their already low fixed incomes or increased charges on their assets. This morning’s decision will be a relief to them and to their families.”
Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) has welcomed the publication of the report, but has raised concerns that dealing with 'critical issues' could be put on the long finger.
The organisation's CEO Tadhg Daly spoke to George on The Right Hook. He said "we're concerned that we'll have a further 18 months before the Minister and the Department is addressing what we would term as the key issue, which is planning for an ageing demographic":
