Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Healy will understand that this includes an important group of people who have not come on to the committee's radar. While other committees are probably examining the issue, it is important that we have an understanding of the full picture. That is all I am suggesting in this regard.

On the nursing home support scheme, the document provided refers at paragraph 4.3 to the determination of the costs of care. Services not funded under the nursing home support scheme include incontinence wear, chiropody, ophthalmic and dental services. Surely old people are entitled to have incontinence wear and chiropody covered under the scheme? Their nails grow and if they are being looked after in an institution, they are entitled to chiropody services. If an old person needs a new set of false teeth, the cost is not covered. I will link that issue with people in the institutions who are on medical cards because some of these services are covered by medical cards when the person is living at home. The medical cards of persons who move into a residential institution become almost redundant. They are given bed, board and care and nothing else is readily available from the private providers. Some things that should be covered under a medical card do not seem to be covered. I ask Mr. Healy to talk me through that issue.