Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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I welcome both Mr. Quinn and Mr. Whelan and apologise for my late arrival. I pay tribute to the work of Dr. Tracey Cooper, who is a dedicated and committed person. Before returning home, she did the State some service.

I will take a different tack from the others and ask to what extent are nursing homes providing appropriate activities for the residents. In my life, I have visited quite a number of nursing homes, both in Ireland and England, and it would seem that much more is done in England to provide stimulus for the residents. I wonder whether they can make any comment on that. I suppose a related question is to what extent do nursing homes allow some independence for those residents who are still capable of doing things for themselves.