Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I understand my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, will very shortly bring proposals to Government on repayments to residents and former residents of publicly-funded long-stay care places.

Over the period in question, my Department paid affected persons their full pension and other social welfare entitlements and had no function in the deduction of the charges made.

The implications for social welfare pensions and other entitlements will depend on the nature of the repayments scheme. However, it is my intention that any repayments will not impact on current pension entitlements and I will bring forward proposals in this regard when full details of the repayment schemes have been finalised.

As the Deputy is aware, I have made provision in the recent Social Welfare and Pensions Act to introduce enhanced capital assessment arrangements generally. From June next, a single pensioner with no other means will be able to save up to €28,000 without affecting his or her entitlements. This figure is doubled for a couple. As a result, all pensioners will, if they wish, be able to put an enhanced sum aside without worrying about any effect on their pension.

See this speech in context