The Government is to rush through legislation to deal with the issue of charging patients in long-term care in public institutions and is to make ex gratia payments of €2,000 to each.
Earlier, the Attorney General Rory Brady advised that the practice of taking money from such patients was legally unsound.
The legislation does not provide for refunds of money taken by the State.
It should be in place by Thursday and once enacted will rectify the legal situation and allow the system of charging to continue.
Those affected have been paying around €6,500 annually, some 75% of their old age pension
A statement tonight from Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, said that successive Governments had operated on the basis that it was fair that those receiving long term care should make some payment towards accommodation and daily living costs.
Those eligible will have to apply for the ex gratia payments; advertisements will be placed by the Health Services Executive which will set up a unit to oversee the process.
