A senior figure at a Clare nursing home says people here are afraid they won't be able to pay for the cost of their own funeral due to delays in approving Fair Deal applications.
Charities representing the elderly and local politicians are among those who are concerned that patients are being forced to pay thousands of euro or stay in hospitals while the HSE makes a decision.
The Fair Deal Scheme was created in 2009, by then, Health Minister Mary Harney and sees the patient and state contribute to the cost of Nursing Home Care.
At that time the programme covered the cost of staying in a facility while applications were being processed – however that has since ceased.
The HSE says people in Clare are now waiting for 14 weeks for their paperwork to be approved.
Speaking to Clare FM Director of Nurisng at St. Teresa's Nursing Home in Kilrush, Yvonne Moroney, says the situation is getting worse.
On average a bed in a Nursing Home costs 1,000 euro per week and Ms Moroney says people are staying at home, depsite needing full time care, because they're afraid there'll be no money left to pay for their own funeral.
The Health Minister Leo Varadkar is being urged to address the situation urgently.
Speaking yesterday he said there isn't enough money to meet the current demand and that the Government has a plan.
Yvonne Moroney has written to Minister Varadkar outlining the issues patients at her facility are facing.
Active Retirement Network Ireland says there are a number of concerns around how the system works.
Board member and Shannon based Kay Murphy says she believes it strips people of their dignity.
