Nursing homes and pensions

Sir, – The idea that nursing home care should be funded by mandatory occupational pensions fails to recognise governments' own funding needs (Editorial, January 4th). Over the past five years, this Government has taken some €2 billion from occupational pension funds by way of the pension levy, leaving pensioners wondering how to manage on reduced pensions, never mind paying for nursing home services. A mandatory nursing home insurance scheme might work, but only if governments desist from pilfering the funds! – Yours, etc,

PETER LYNCH,

Knocklyon, Dublin 16.