The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says the Government will be examining extra charges being put on nursing home residents.

It comes after a report from Age Action suggests older people are being priced out of nursing homes.

It includes claims that people were being charged doctors fees, even when they have a full medical card.

Mr Varadkar says they should only be charged for the services they need.

"Extra charges aren't prohibited, but it's important hat they're genuine.

"I don't think any older person should be charged an extra charge for a service they don't receive - and I did read today suggestions that people in nursing homes were charged for seeing a doctor, even though they're entitled to medical cards.

"So really we're going to need to make sure that, first of all, there's transparency around charges - that people know what any additional charges are for - and that the charges are genuine".

Age Action's Justin Moran says the importance of the HSE's Fair Deal scheme - which offers financial support to people who need nursing home care - is that people have choice.

However, he suggests that people are facing steadily increasing charges.

"When someone on the State Pension is left with only €50 a week after making their contribution under Fair Deal they are simply not going to be able to afford a nursing home charging €200 a month for social activities", he adds.