Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I wish to share time with Deputies Finian McGrath and Gormley, although I am not sure of the arrangement. We may have to change it mid-stream but perhaps someone will stop me in time.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. The motion is very timely, although it is not the happiest of subjects to be discussed, in the wake of the chilling TV programme we witnessed on Monday night.

It is important to state at the outset that there were adverse reports on 43 of these nursing homes out of a total of 440. It is not all bad, therefore, but I have no doubt that many people will have second thoughts about placing their relations in a nursing home and I am sure many elderly people are very concerned about being placed in nursing homes. I can imagine the discussions in some households about whether one should be put into a nursing home and the fears in that regard.

I support the call for an inspector for nursing homes but it is not just about creating an inspectorate. We have had similar situations in the mental health area, of which I am well aware, when visits from the mental health inspector were often forewarned and therefore meaningless. There was often upwards of a month's notice that an inspector would call and human nature being what it is, people will tend to put their best foot forward. I hope that as part of the policy inspectors will call to nursing homes unannounced, that they will call regularly and that if complaints are received from particular nursing homes they will address them.

The cross-Border aspect of the nursing home provision is important also because we are subventing patients across the Border. Also, we must cater for both the physical and mental needs of patients. We can care for patients very well physically but they need mental stimulation, activities etc.

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