Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I am acting in accordance with the advice of the Chair. I am not attempting to frustrate anyone. I acknowledge that Deputy Sean Ryan has taken a particular interest in this issue and I commend him for that. I am not afraid to state on the record of the House that Deputy Ryan is one of the few Deputies who has consistently raised this issue in the House.

The amendment to the subvention regulations in 1996 gives the Health Service Executive the discretion to pay a higher rate of subvention than the rates I have mentioned, thereby further assisting people who are having difficulty in meeting the cost of long-term care. Of the more than 10,000 people who were in receipt of subvention payments at the end of December 2004, almost 4,100 were in receipt of enhanced subvention payments and a further 1,339 people were occupying contract beds. Therefore, almost 11,500 patients are receiving a contribution to the cost of their long-term care under the subvention scheme. Approximately half of them are in receipt of a payment that is higher than the rate their level of dependency may require.

The Health Service Executive has launched a national freefone information line, 1800 777737, for members of the public who have concerns about older people in residential long-term care. The information line will operate between 9 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. The staff operating the service will take details of callers' names and concerns, and will arrange for a relevant person in the callers' local areas to contact them to follow up their queries. The HSE will vigorously pursue any complaints made about other nursing homes to ensure that the welfare of patients is protected.

Further work is required in the coming years to improve services. The active participation of all involved is needed if we are to make progress and achieve the delivery of quality and cost-effective services to older people, which is the most important aspect of this matter. The Government has given visible evidence of its commitment in this regard. It is committed to enhancing the level of support available to older people, but that can only be achieved in a sustainable and enduring manner if it is delivered in a financial environment which protects the delivery of services for the future.

The Government, which has demonstrated its commitment to developing services for older people, will continue to strive to improve their lot during its term in office. That it values the commitment of older people is clearly demonstrated by the additional resources it has allocated in recent years to improving services for them. Legislation will be introduced to ensure that the quality of long-term care settings will never again be in question.

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