Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their presence this morning and for the information they have given. This is a very important issue and one that has received adverse publicity in the past, institutionally and in general.

The provision of assistance with mobility, personal hygiene, nutrition, hydration and toileting or prompting or supervising such activities where a person is otherwise unable to perform them effectively is very important even in an institutional environment and requires a great deal of co-ordination, supervision and expertise. Does Ms Larthwell envisage a set template to apply across the board for the number of people who can receive a service in a particular area at a particular time? In other words, the challenge is obviously to look after 20 patients, 100 patients or whatever the case may be. How effectively can we provide services to those people at various stages, the ten people, 20 people, 30 people, 40 people or whatever, dispersed throughout the community and compare that with providing for the same number of people in an institution? That is the measurement that needs to take place. Has the Department agreed or identified the level required there? If it is already agreed, is it proposed in the Bill?