Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

As the country's elderly population grows, it is critical to have a nursing home sector in which people have confidence and where the highest standards apply and are seen to apply. It is the responsibility of Government to ensure the law and the inspectorate regime in place are also of the highest standard to ensure that this happens. The Leas Cross affair, as exposed by Deputy O'Dowd and the "Prime Time" programme on RTE, has severely dented people's confidence in the Government's ability to ensure the highest standards in our nursing homes.

Yesterday the Taoiseach confirmed that a critical report on Leas Cross was submitted to the health authorities last autumn. He said it was very critical and raised serious issues. I have four questions for the Taoiseach in that regard. Why was so little done about the appalling level of care provided in Leas Cross until the "Prime Time" programme forced the Government to act? Second, why did the Taoiseach, on 1 June this year, tell the Dáil that the inspection regime was not the problem in Leas Cross when this report apparently flagged the fact, eight to ten months ago, that a serious situation had arisen there?

Third, why was Leas Cross management given advance warnings of inspections even though the authorities had such a critical report in their possession? The authorities were aware of the seriousness of the situation yet they continued to inform Leas Cross of when inspections would take place. Fourth, why has the Government failed to act on a solemn promise the Taoiseach gave four years ago to initiate a new inspectorate for nursing homes? The sad fact is that inspections took place but these were notified and were inadequate. The Government failed to act and has severely dented the confidence of elderly people and the public in this matter.

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