THERE is strong voter resistance to government plans to make elderly people pay the cost of nursing home care through a clawback charge on the value of their home after their death.

Some 65% of respondents to the latest Sunday Tribune/IMS Millward Brown opinion poll are opposed to the policy which was announced late last year by health minister Mary Harney. Only 25% backed Harney's plan with 10% saying they didn't know or had no opinion.

Under the Harney plan, from January 2008, those needing longterm care will have to pay 80% of the costs involved. People with an income less than the cost of their nursing-home care would meet the difference through a bill - due after their death - which would be capped at a maximum of 15% on the value of their home.

The proposal received mixed reactions when it was initially published. There continues to be resistance among some Fianna Fáil TDs with former minister Michael Woods speaking out against the policy at a party meeting last month.

Government sources admit there is some lingering unease.

However, they insist that a campaign against the proposal is unlikely to gather pace to become a problematic issue in the general election.

The opposition parties have spoken out against the measure.

Fine Gael has labelled the Harney plan as a 'death tax' and 'grave robbing'. Liz McManus, Labour's health spokesperson, said the complexity of the scheme could cause considerable stress for older people.

The matter is likely to be raised when the Dáil returns next week for a special two-day sitting to discuss the health bill which will establish a new body to oversee the registration and inspection of nursing homes.

The poll results show opposition to the property charge is highest among those over 65 years (73%), and among the farming community (72%). The categories which offer greatest support for Harney's plan are the better-off AB social class grouping (33%) and those living in Dublin (29%).

65% against the proposal
25% in favour of the proposal
10 % don't know