Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The standard is being provided when it is needed but people are paying €50,000 or €60,000 per year for their care in many of these homes. I agree on the medical issue and the need to provide PPE when nursing homes do not have it. However, the HSE should be charging the private nursing home sector for PPE because these homes are certainly charging their residents. I am unhappy that the HSE does not propose to do that. I welcome the HSE's significant engagement with the private nursing home sector.

On 1 January 2020, approximately 8,000 people were on the HSE's waiting list for home care. How many people are on that waiting list today? What are the most recent figures? I ask that in the context of the HSE's note indicating that it is seeking a substantial increase in home support hours in order to fully support patients at home, which I 100% support.