Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Last June, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children said she intended to bring legislation before the Oireachtas in autumn which would provide a clear legal framework for a repayment scheme for those who were unlawfully charged in nursing homes. She added that this would ensure that repayments were made as promptly as possible.

I have not heard her reply to the extraordinary development whereby the family of a dead patient, in prosecuting an action, has been met with a defence by the State and the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, that the State has no liability and does not accept any responsibility for overcharging or repayments. Will the Minister respond to that comment, and say when the legislation promised for last autumn will come before the House, and when the scheme of repayments to people overcharged in nursing homes will commence?

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