Mr. Bernard Gloster:

This relates to a commitment I gave last summer shortly after I came here. I addressed the matter with Senator Kyne earlier when Deputy Cullinane was out of the room. I fundamentally believe that people, whether they live in a private nursing home, a public nursing home or at home, are entitled to the same access to healthcare services. Thirteen of the 30 integrated care for older people teams are now involved in the care of people in nursing homes in different parts of the country. That is just not consistent enough for me. I want to go beyond the integrated care for older people teams. I am hoping, with the utilisation of the public sector agreement and with meeting with the National Joint Council of unions shortly, to introduce a much more consistent approach where all primary care staff will be available to support people wherever they live, including private nursing homes.