Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations and acknowledge the work they do.

I mention Marymount Hospice in Cork, which is highly regarded. Many people do a lot of fund-raising for it and the staff who work there are truly heroic.

It is very clear from the presentations that the issue of resources and support is a considerable problem. I was struck by the lack of palliative care beds - there are only 153 - and by the fact an extra 744 staff are required to implement the recommendations. We really need to look at that.

In regard to palliative care health information systems, the need for investment and the lack of capacity in measurement and analysis, will the witnesses expand on that? How could it be improved? What information are we currently lacking for further analysis?

In regard to palliative care not being geographic and going to wherever the patient is, what proportion of palliative care patients are treated in their own homes? Is there much of a difference in terms of the cost of treating them at home, in a nursing home or in a hospice?

In regard to the initiative focused on providing a modern communications and learning hub with four components aimed at three main audiences, is that ready to go or does it need financing and resources? If so, are they expected to be forthcoming? If not, when might it be initiated? I agree with the point on terminology and language and that we should not look at how to die well but at how to live well until one dies. There is a substantial difference.

I refer to the point on the need for a single entity. Will the witnesses elaborate on the type of entity necessary? Would it be under the Department or the HSE, a stand-alone national body under the auspices of the Minister or another model? Would it require a dedicated budget?