Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy said, we discussed this matter at length on Committee Stage. As I explained, we are not in a position to retrospectively deal with the financial costs. The nursing home support scheme costs the Exchequer €1.4 billion per year and €350 million is received through charges. To be brief, it is for this reason and the reasons I outlined on Committee Stage, I will not be accepting the amendment.

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