Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I accept that all the children in that category are critical. People who are campaigning, who have a good argument, understood very well the explanation of the process in place. Their point is that at least they now know what the process is and that it has begun. It is also important to acknowledge the people who have been operating under considerable constraints. One lady referred to getting a couple of bob here and a couple of bob there for the past 19 years. People need to have certainty about their position. That is important.

The four palliative care nurses have already been chosen but the normal vetting procedure must take place. We are all conscious of the fact that we are dealing with vulnerable people and such clearance is important. In recent months I have spoken to several people involved in the hospice movement – the focus has now moved to palliative care – and as well as the standard hospice care, the emphasis is now moving towards home-based and community-delivered palliative care. In particular when it comes to children with life-limiting conditions, it is important that the emphasis is not on care in an institution, but in the home and in their community. That is a good development.