Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I would like to be able to say today we will have it next week, but we are not certain. We must have robust legislation in this area. It is important legislation for families. We intend to have it finalised before the summer. On the issue of costs, again I refer to 1 January when we did not anticipate this would be an issue because we believed the fair deal scheme would be up and running. However, the €110 was ring-fenced for the fair deal scheme. The HSE has been in negotiations with the nursing home organisations to see what is the best way forward. We appreciate there are families who are under extreme duress at present where charges have been increased by nursing homes. To be fair to the HSE, it had not anticipated this increased cost.

See this speech in context