The Government is losing €2.5 million weekly because of the absence of appropriate legislation to deal with the fallout from the Supreme Court judgment on elderly residents in nursing homes.
This was revealed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Ms Harney, when pressed by the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, on when new legislation would be introduced.
"Obviously, I will have to consult with the Attorney General and with my officials to determine how quickly we can draft the legislation," she said.
When Ms Harney said she had been accused of rushing things before Christmas, Mr Rabbitte stressed that he was not asking the Tánaiste to rush anything.
Mr Jim O'Keeffe (FG, Cork South West) said legislation had been introduced very quickly the last time. "It will be March 12th, after the by-elections," he added.
Ms Harney replied: "No. We intend to do it. There is no secret about that."
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, had advised the Government on the issue when he was Attorney General.
"The former minister for health, Deputy Martin, was deemed to have left a meeting when the matter was discussed," said Mr Kenny. "His two ministers of state were present, and it seems that the former minister for health was in full possession of that information."
Mr Rabbitte sought an assurance that there would be no cutbacks in the current level of service. "I have a letter with me this morning from one typical small service provider pointing out the financial implications of the decision and advising clients that, inevitably, this will have an effect on the level of service."
He said that people who had relatives and loved ones in such homes required reassurance.
"Yes," Ms Harney replied.
The Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, said the correct way to seek reassurance in the House was to submit a question in the appropriate way to the responsible minister rather than on the Order of Business.
Mr Rabbitte replied: "I was happy that I had asked the question and that the Tánaiste could give the assurance that I sought equally speedily."
Confirming to Mr Rabbitte that it would be necessary to introduce a supplementary estimate, Ms Harney said: "The health vote for 2005 could not sustain the repayment of monies in excess of €500 million. That would be grossly unfair on services.
As the deputy has acknowledged, it would involve a serious cutback in existing services if we took it from the current vote. I anticipate that the Government will bring forward a supplementary estimate later this year."
