A Clare-based advocate for older people has said it's shocking that the HSE is spending up to 700 euro more a week per bed for a public nursing home than a private one.
New figures show the cheapest public nursing home bed in Clare is 250 euro more expensive than the dearest private alternative.
These new figures, which have been published by the HSE, show the cost of running a public nursing home bed can cost nearly 2,100 euro a week.
This is in contrast with the approved rate for private nursing homes, with the difference largely due to the higher staff wages and nurse staffing ratios.
Under the Government's Fair Deal Scheme, Clare's private nursing homes receive from 735 to 925 euro per bed per week.
The county's four public nursing homes receive from 1,224 to 1540 euro.
Health Minister Simon Harris has denied that the difference highlight efficiencies in the public sector.
The figures show that millions more are spent by the state on public nursing homes than in their private equivalents.
This has prompted the Shannon-based National Vice President of Active Retirement Ireland to say the money could be better funnelled into providing home help for those who don't want to move to nursing homes.
Kay Murphy has described the figures as "shocking":
