An additional €97 million will be released for the implementation of the nursing home support scheme, A Fair Deal, it was announced in the Budget last week.

The total amount of funding to support the scheme now totals €152 million, when combined with the €55 million provided in 2009.

However, Fine Gael health spokesperson Dr James Reilly expressed concern that waiting lists could be created as a result of inadequate funding.

“In 2008 this was budgeted at €110 million and with a €97 million allocation this year it seems likely that waiting lists will result,” Dr Reilly said.

Also, in relation to older people, an additional €10 million is being provided for more home care packages, bringing the total provision for this scheme to €130 million in 2010.

An extra €230 million will go towards demand-led schemes, including additional numbers of medical cards, bringing the total allocation for these schemes to over €3 billion in 2010.

The National Cancer Control Programme also received €20 million in 2010 to support new service developments, including lung, prostate, rectal and pancreatic cancer and radiotherapy treatment as well as initiation of a colorectal cancer screening programme.

The allocation was welcomed by Irish Cancer Society CEO Mr John McCormack.

Meanwhile, public health doctors and Alcohol Action Ireland have criticised the reduction in excise duty for alcohol.

Public health doctor and former IMO President Prof Joe Barry, along with groups such as Ash Ireland, were also disappointed with the failure to increase the price of cigarettes.