Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

While this is an important debate, it is unfortunate that it takes place in the full and certain knowledge that the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power, has laid before the House no evidence of changes he has made in the Department and the Health Service Executive since the Leas Cross story broke about a year ago. It is shameful that he has sat on his hands and that the Government has done no productive work on this issue in the intervening period.

As a letter the Minister of State received from the Health Service Executive demonstrates, he was informed in May last year that up to ten nursing homes could have to close in north County Dublin if changes were not made. The level of care in Leas Cross and many other nursing homes around the country was appalling. The Minister of State has been charged with the responsibility of changing this but has failed miserably to do so. It is a disgrace that the Government has not produced the legislation it promised, as my colleague, Deputy Twomey, stated.

I received a letter on 31 May 2001 under the Freedom of Information Act before the legislation was amended. It states:

I refer to your request under the Freedom of Information Act in relation to copies of nursing home inspections where significant breaches of the regulations were noted. I apologise for my delay in replying. I have now identified 12 nursing homes of interest.

I will discuss three of the institutions referred to in the letter.

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