Dáil debates

Wednesday, 1 June 2005

10:30 am

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

This Government takes the issues relating to the elderly most seriously, including carers, home help, housing, respite care and many other areas. We have shown our concern by our actions throughout our term in office and we will show it again in dealing with this case.

As I said yesterday, what happened at Leas Cross nursing home was unacceptable and was an insult to the residents and their families. It cannot happen again. Agreement has been reached between the HSE and the home that will bring about much needed improvements immediately. The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with responsibility for the elderly, Deputy Seán Power, met the HSE yesterday and arranged for a report to be drawn up on the position in the home. The changes that were agreed will be examined in a month's time to assess their implementation. Efforts will continue to ensure that care at the home is up to the proper standard.

I spoke to the HSE and Deputy Seán Power about the issues. The problem in the Leas Cross case was not a lack of inspections. There are ten inspectoral teams, based on the old health board system. That will be changed under the reform proposals introduced by the Tánaiste. There was no conformity in the inspection procedure and the HSE is now working to introduce a unified approach and to develop a robust inspection system that will be able to deal with difficulties in a unified fashion across the country.

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