LABOUR TD Seán Sherlock has said he has become increasingly concerned at the numbers of people whose life savings are being diminished because of nursing home costs.

LABOUR TD Seán Sherlock has said he has become increasingly concerned at the numbers of people whose life savings are being diminished because of nursing home costs.

Deputy Sherlock said something must be done to address the shortage of public beds for the elderly.

"It's gotten so bad that there are nursing home patients who won't even have enough money to pay for their own for funeral which is a cause of real distress to families,

"More public beds are needed bottom line. It's not fair to expect sons and daughters to be out through financial hardship to ensure their parents receive the care they are not qualified to give them," said Deputy Sherlock.

The Cork East TD said it is an issue he will be pursuing in the Dáil over the coming months.

"This is about looking after those people who have made an immense contribution to this state over many years. Therfore, I believe this government must ensure that they have an entitlement to a nursing home without having to use up all their savings or putting untold pressure on their children," he said