The large numbers of Covid-19 deaths in nursing home settings has reignited calls for a shift of focus from the Fair Deal Nursing Home funding scheme to one that funds home care for the elderly.
Under the current scheme, 7.5% of the value of a person's home is charged for three years to pay for the nursing home care.
This can be deferred until after a person's death, but the scheme is not available for home care.
Studies have shown that outcomes for residents in large settings are far poorer than if a person is cared for at home.
Paddy Connolly from Age Action Ireland says people do not do well in large institutions.
"it is true that we have incentivised institutionalised living with the home care scheme.
"So instead of investing in a statutory homecare scheme where people would have the right to get a service at home, which people have been calling for for two decades now, we've incentivised the use of institutions."
