Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

People have been looking to stay at home and families have been looking for their older members to be able to stay at home with supports for years. The high number of people in nursing homes is a direct result of Government policy, which incentivises it. At various times, a figure has been put on the number of people who are in nursing homes and who should not be there and who do not need or want to be there. However, Government policy has made that happen.

There is potential for significant additional employment if we respect older people's desire to stay at home. However, it is important that it is decent quality work so that people have guaranteed hours.

It should not just be minimum wage work. Much of it is currently like that without any kind of job security. That has to be considered when moving to a new system. It is essential that the health authorities work with the housing authorities, because there are a small number of examples of supported housing complexes with health services provided. That is an ideal situation where a person is not able to stay in his or her own three bedroom house, with the upstairs part not being accessible or with the house needing proper maintenance. There are a few examples of where it has been done really well and we should learn from that. Housing has to be part of that solution.