A report on the funding of the Fair Deal scheme would be available within a fortnight, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said today.
Mr Kenny told the Dáil that Minister for Health Dr James Reilly had informed the House that at least €100 million had been diverted from the purpose for which it was intended under the nursing home support scheme for older people.
He had ordered an investigation into the matter that would be completed within two weeks.
"In the meantime, applications are being accepted and processed, but the reality is that this is a budget-capped scheme," he added.
He said the Minister and himself wanted the scheme to continue. When the Minister reported back to the House, "we will all be in a far clearer position to know how many more can be approved for the Fair Deal scheme".
The Taoiseach was replying to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams who said Mr Kenny had told him on Tuesday that applications for approval under the scheme, which funds long-term care for the elderly, would continue to be processed and accepted.
Minister of State Kathleen Lynch had said decisions to grant approval would be subject to the availability of funding, Mr Adams added. "For its part, the HSE is saying that approval was not being given," he said.
"Indeed the HSE has told us that the computer system for processing applications had been shut down by them since May 16th."