Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

This plan will ensure that care is affordable for all and that nobody will be forced to sell or remortgage his or her home to pay for care, which is not the case at present. A major change is that, in future, when a person makes his or her contribution the State will meet the balance of costs and take the risks associated with price increases. The scheme will be transparent with the same standardised means of assessment of need and individual contributions will be based on income and assets. The individual will be expected to contribute 80% of disposable income at the time of receipt of care. Most old people have modest incomes and the average income of a person over 65 years of age in 2006 has been calculated to be €234 per week.

Deputy Rabbitte said this will apply only to old people going to nursing homes but, at present, it does not relate to age and would be the same for a person below 65 years of age. A deferred charge of up to 5% of residential costs will apply. At present, many people applying for subvention must produce 5% of the value of their houses in cash for an indefinite period of care. This is very unfair, causes great distress and makes it an almost impossible target for people to meet.

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