Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Some are making the contribution; others are not. We are paying approximately €120 million in subvention, which is not an inconsiderable amount. However, making up the gap between the subvention and the cost can be a burden on many families. Tax relief also applies. We all accept the system is not easy to fund which is why the concept of making a contribution towards shelter and maintenance has been supported here for the past 50 years.

In future we will face greater issues because lifestyles have changed. In the past women stayed at home and looked after their parents or their parents in-law. Women are now out working and society has changed enormously. Notwithstanding the huge commitment to supporting the elderly in society, because of issues relating to lifestyle, career, commuting etc., people are not in a position to do what they did in the past. Notwithstanding what I have said, I believe we can give more support to families and individuals to stay in their own homes. The home care package, which is part of the accident and emergency package we introduced this year, will greatly help people to remain at home who otherwise would need institutional care. In recent weeks I visited many people in institutional care. In the past three weeks in particular I have been in many long-term care facilities in counties Meath and Kildare. A high standard of care is given in both the public and private sector. Most of the people I have met would not be in a position to live at home. In many cases they are severely disabled and it would be impossible for them to live on their own and even living with the family would be particularly difficult. We need to provide more resources and to target them to families where they are needed most.

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