Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am delighted, as a Deputy for the area, that there will be a new rehabilitation hospital in Dún Laoghaire. I thank the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for their input into the matter. The new hospital will be deeply appreciated by the people of Dún Laoghaire and patients who come from all over the country to use the National Rehabilitation Hospital.

All the Minister has heard are complaints and criticisms. Some €44 million has been put into the fair deal scheme and I appreciate that the measure has improved the system.

I have heard from members of the general public and people who work in hospitals that once a patient gets into the system, the experience is fantastic. There is a survey that proves that 90% of patients believe their care and experience are fantastic. Hospitals are doing great work, but we need to look at where the pinch points are.

On those who are deaf-blind, the organisations involved came to Leinster House and Ms Carol Brill outlined her experience. As a sufferer of usher syndrome, her eyesight and hearing are declining. The organisations have strongly advocated for the recognition of dual sensory disability. Ms Brill said the strong hearing aids she needed cost €4,000. She is in receipt of a disability payment and has found it nearly impossible to afford to pay for such expensive hearing aids. I, therefore, ask the Minister to consider the matter seriously. Members and staff cried while Ms Brill described her experience in losing her eyesight and hearing.

I have tabled a question about nursing homes. I have heard that nursing homes are being investigated by HIQA, that they do not have an adequate number of staff and that they are in danger of being closed down. The prospect of closure is serious.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland assured us that they would undertake various measures to improve the position. One suggestion was that a call centre be created, but that has not happened. The Department allocated 16 new staff to the board in September which was appreciated. Please forgive me if I do not have the exact number, but approximately 2,016 nurses have applied but many of the application forms are unfinished or have parts missing and have to be dismissed as a consequence. There are 852 applications on the desk awaiting approval. Why have the newly appointed 16 staff and whoever else is available not got through that number of applications? Representatives of the board were here in July and I have learned from Nursing Homes Ireland that the position on registration has worsened and that nothing seems to have improved.

I ask for the study of gerontology to become part of the registered training for nurses. In Australia and Canada there are various nursing categories including registered practical nurses, auxiliary nurses, complementary nurses, enrolled nurses and advanced care practitioners. Will the Minister consider adopting the same model of nurse training here? Nurses must undergo a three-year training programme. Will the Minister consider introducing training to enable individuals to become advanced care practitioners?

In Ireland junior doctors must work in hospitals for a period of one year. I have advocated that they stay for two years to give something back to the service for the education they have received. Could a similar provision be applied to new nurses? We need to encourage them to stay in the country. They are paid for a number of years during their training.

It would be good for the country if they gave back something and worked here for at least a year before emigrating.