Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section:

"1.—The Health Act 1970 is amended by inserting the following new section after section 44, but in Part IV:

'44A.—Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a statement of strategy detailing its plans for the funding of the care of the elderly in both public and private nursing homes.'."

We have been waiting since 2002 for the Government to publish a report on funding for the care of the elderly. Publication has been repeatedly postponed even though many submissions were made to the Department and correspondence was received from organisations involved with the elderly. People want to see Government action in the form of legislation or a report on how we will fund this care. The Tánaiste commented on this in the past and the issue has been raised in parliamentary questions and on Second Stage of this Bill, but we are getting no information whatsoever and it is important, considering the number of people aged over 65 will increase dramatically over the next few decades.

We have been waiting for some time for a Government report — it was even mentioned in the health strategy that was published in December 2001. Does the Tánaiste have plans to let us know Government policy on funding care for the elderly? It is a major issue. Given that all these charges have been made legal, we should look to the future.

During the course of much of the debate we have looked at the Government's lack of concern for the issue of nursing home charges. It is vital that we address this issue, given that it has been outstanding for many years. The Tánaiste should look around the Department and ascertain what the submissions contain and if a report is ready for publication. Will she tell the House the reason for the delay? Does she agree this matter should be enshrined in legislation to enable us have something to explain to the numerous organisations who come to meet us on a regular basis asking what is the Government's policy on care of the elderly?

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