The Government has reportedly moved to re-impose controversial nursing home fees on medical card-holders from next month.
The charges, which were being levied illegally since 1976, were halted late last year due to concerns expressed by the Attorney General.
However, the Government subsequently introduced a bill to make the fees legal and reports this morning said the new regulation was signed into law yesterday.
This means that the charges, which are worth around €12m a month to the State, will resume from July 14.