Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We can accept that. I still feel there needs to be an overall mechanism for identifying need. Mr. Moynihan said that €85 million needs to be assigned just to housing supports for older people. I agree that money is required but there needs to be some overall co-ordination of the system operating in the local authorities. I dealt with the first one in the country way back when it was a novelty. It was very successful because there was an agreement and there were plenty of people around prepared and willing to carry out the works. The works then were a much bigger requirement then than they are now because adaptation of a bathroom is a major issue for a lot of older people. It requires removal of the bathroom and replacing it with a floor-level shower tray. We are working towards one but there is no co-ordinated way for things to move into place. For some unknown reason, it becomes really expensive for all of the materials involved. I cannot understand that. Perhaps it is accepted practice that this is the level that must be paid for this. The renovation may require a shower, an electric shower and a ground-level shower tray. The removal of the existing structure is the first thing that takes place. It is not rocket science and is quite simple to do. The occupational therapists must also get involved and the scheme is very strict in the way it operates. That part is done privately and the application and older person applying must await the completion of that. I believe there is a need for continuation in the home of the level of service that is available in nursing homes or hospitals for as long as possible and practicable. We must not try to force older persons to remain in their home if they are not capable of surviving in that kind of environment because it then becomes a burden for them. There is a need for some overall body to take that responsibility, set out the requirements and make an easier reference, so that people will know straightaway that it is going to cost X, Y or Z. They will then know if they have to borrow, beg or whatever the case may be but at least people will know where they are going.