A coalition of ten organisations is calling for a national debate on changes to nursing home charges under the new scheme, A Fair Deal.
The coalition says the Government must recognise that people who need nursing home care should not be used as 'a stalking horse for eligibility changes in healthcare.'
Under this proposal, those in need of nursing home care will be charged up to 15% of the value of their home and other assets after their death. They will also pay 80% of their disposable income towards costs, as is the current practice.
The coalition includes Age Action, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and the Irish Society of Physicians in Geriatric Medicine.
The organisations criticised plans to introduce the changes by January. They pointed to a 'lack of information for older people and their families about the new proposals.'
Des O'Neill of the Irish Gerontological Society said that the question of older people's eligibility for care must be considered for all aspects of healthcare and not just for access to nursing home care.
Labour Party Health Spokesperson, Jan O'Sullivan, said her party does not accept the time frame for the introduction of these measures. She said the party will be 'looking for legal advice' on the proposals.
Fine Gael TD, Olivia Mitchell, warned of the 'huge pressure it will place on older people to get rid of their assets.'
