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

Thank you. I wish to apologise for the absence of Deputy Ó Caoláin who cannot be here this week, but I will report everything to him.

I have just a few questions. A suggestion has arisen with regard to end-of-life-proof homes. Would this be useful for children with life-limiting illnesses or are their lives so different that this would not be of much use to them? Bereavement is difficult. Do the witnesses think there should be more psychological and social supports available. Palliative and bereavement care are not the same, but there is a substantial link between them. Bereavement care is probably a neglected area. Do the witnesses believe there is a need for more people in the health area to receive specific training to deal with this? If so, how many trained people are required?

It has been clearly illustrated that Travellers are not currently well predisposed towards dying at home or spending time in a hospice. Also, staff in these centres are not used to Traveller behaviour towards a dying person. Mention was made of the need to train staff. What should such training involve? More research is also required and there is a need to work with those at the end of life to ensure the best information possible is obtained regarding their psychological state. How would this work be carried out and to what extent?