Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief because I have tabled a Commencement matter in the Seanad. My colleague will remain to hear the answer to my question. I commend Senator Kelleher for the legislation, which is excellent. Mr. Taylor mentioned elderly people being shoehorned into nursing homes and I totally agree with him. From my own experience as a GP, I think there is a widespread practice of what we call granny dumping in the medical profession. I welcome the idea of an independent advocate. From my clinical practice, I feel that banks and nursing homes do not really care so long as they are getting money in or unless there is a legal requirement, as Senator Burke said, such as a power of attorney or if a patient has dementia and is made a ward of court. As long as there is a legal dimension forcing the bank or institution to adhere to legal requirements, it will happen. Apart from that, it is a widespread practice.

I welcome the idea of an independent advocate but how can we ensure the vulnerable person gets open access to that independent advocate? Who will be the intermediary between them? Will it be a staff member in the nursing home, the GP or the public health nurse? Access to the independent advocate is an issue I would like explored.