She did have a credit union account and they had agreed to pay nursing home payments until the account was exhausted. Of course we could (maybe) lodge to that CU account but the account would be "locked" for us and we wouldn't be able to pay for unexpected / miscellaneous costs.
Now we are having to request the solicitors (who are currently holding her funds) to pay out any costs, etc.. My solicitor seems clueless as to what type of account to open. She says she understood there were "trustee" accounts that would apply to this situation. AIB, however, claim they have no longer such an account .. I'm awaiting response from BOI on same question...