The decision to delay the allocation of €85 million to fund the Government’s ‘Fair Deal’ system of financing long-term care has been sharply criticised today.
A spokesman for Age Action said they were "shocked and disappointed" by the move.
In a statement, Age Action said the continued delay in implementing reforms in how long-term care is funded has left many elderly people and their families facing unexpected nursing home charges.
The agency claimed that for every €1 spent on community care, €2 is being spent on nursing home care, despite the Government's stated policy of encouraging older people to remain in the community.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny called on the Taoiseach to reverse the decision to postpone the allocation of funds.
He described the move as "particularly savage and shameful". He said that despite an attempt to suggest that health and Education would be immune from cuts it is clear "that the most vulnerable in our society are going to bear the brunt of the cutbacks".
Labour's spokeswoman on health Jan O'Sullivan said the failure to make any progress on the 'Fair Deal' scheme means that the legislation that gives it legal effect is unlikely to come before the Oireachtas before the end of the year.
It was announced yesterday that of the original €110 million earmarked for the scheme, €85 million would not be spent this year. According to Age Action, €13 million is being spent on the provision of 'contract beds' and €12 million on improving the Enhanced Subvention provision for residents in private nursing homes.
Minister for Health Mary Harney last night said that savings of €144 million would be generated within the health sector as part of the Government's cutbacks.