Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

If a person is in a nursing home for three years, that person is liable for the charge even if the house is not rented to others. In most instances, families will have control of their parents' house and they will not disrupt it by letting it to others. However, that charge will be imposed on the person in the nursing home. I do not believe this is what the Bill was meant to do. I ask the Minister to find a way to deal with this. People will be going into nursing homes under the fair deal scheme and when they pass on, a percentage of the value of their property will have to be paid. Surely that should be sufficient compensation for the State rather than also asking for €200 per year while people live out the last few years of their lives in a nursing home. I urge the Minister to address this on Report Stage.