Ministers are coming under pressure to relax new rules which require people with property and savings to pay more for their treatment.

Since the beginning of this year, people living in nursing and residential homes have to pay higher fees for the cost of their treatment if they have more than €21,000 in assets. The extra payment can run to over €1,000 a month.

But MPs and organisations campaigning for the rights of disabled people say many are now being forced to spend money saved by themselves or their parents for care when they become very old, for moving house or holidays.

Homes

In addition, disabled people who own their home also have to pay higher fees, even if they are unable to sell the property to realise the extra cash.

According to website nu.nl, MPs from the ruling Labour party and opposition D66 Liberals are to ask junior health minister Martijn van Rijn to look for alternatives. The asset check was introduced in an effort to cap the rising cost of institutional care.

Christian Democrat and SP parliamentarians said earlier they wanted to see changes.