Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses and Mr. Tyndall for his report, which is very important. While I welcome the Wasted Lives report, I must be honest, when I read it I was a little floored because - and we have all gone through the Covid pandemic - lives are so important. Once people are alive and a family member is alive, it is just so important that we appreciate them. Everyone loves their loved ones. I do not know if I took it up in the right context, but I have a concern about the Wasted Lives report so I will highlight it. How many people did the Ombudsman interview for the report? My understanding is that not many people were interviewed for it. I know the Ombudsman gave a summary of the report but I wanted to ask that.

My second question is for the HSE. I understand that the HSE has targeted 18 people to work with for its pilot project and there is €3 million in funding for that. I ask for clarification on whether two people were selected from each of the nine CHO areas. How was the number 18 decided on? In the context of more than 1,300 people, if not more, under the age of 65 in nursing homes, and we spoke about brain injuries, 18 is a very small number. While I welcome it, we should look at a bigger number because it is more important. Can the HSE clarify whether it chose the 18 people on the basis of two people from each CHO area? I ask for clarification on that.

I will also ask about the HSE steering committee and its engagement, which is really good and represents progress. However, as I listened to the speakers, my concern is that we have three Ministers, the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly and two Ministers of State at the same Department, Deputy Mary Butler, who has responsibility for older people, and Deputy Anne Rabbitte, who has responsibility for disability, so three Departments in all. When you are working with three Departments, it is so important that there is engagement, especially with the HSE. I ask Dr. MacLellan what is the engagement with the HSE, especially from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte? I believe she has a very important role to play in this.

On figures, I talked to someone recently and my understanding is that there are 44 people aged under 65 in hospital settings. I know one person who was in a hospital setting for nearly four years. The questions have to be asked. As a Government, how do we solve this situation and what are we doing for people with disabilities and their families? I have another question for the HSE. What are the up-to-date figures for people aged under 65 in nursing homes? How many people are in hospitals at the moment who are under 65 and who are, hopefully, waiting to come out and go into some sort of care setting? While we all welcome the fair deal scheme, and it seems to be the only option, we need other options. I also ask that question.

We also spoke about the Ombudsman's report. The report noted that: "There is no system to ensure that every person has a key worker to enable them to access services." There is no consistency in the system and I ask that that would be a priority. We are talking about young lives, families and children that are affected. It is so important that funding would be targeted at this particular area. Again, we are working through three different Departments, which is my other concern. All the Departments need to work together with the HSE, the Minister, the two Ministers of State and the Ombudsman. I welcome the report but I just have concerns about the figures I am hearing about.