Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In respect of what the Tánaiste said about the care of the elderly and her wish that there be a full debate here, will the Government publish the interdepartmental report on the elderly so that when the debate takes place it will be properly and fully informed?

A year ago yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that long-stay nursing home charges were illegal for public beds. On 11 May, the Tánaiste announced that a private sector company would handle the repayment of charges to the 20,000 people involved. Nine months later not a single cent has been repaid. Last week we were informed that the private sector wanted between €30 million and €50 million to manage the repayment system. When will we see the promised legislation and why has it been delayed? Is she still insisting that a private sector firm handles the repayment scheme? I make that last point for a very good reason. When the Tánaiste announced that an ex gratia payment of €2,000 would be made as an interim measure to those concerned, the HSE and the public service paid 11,000 people. If the HSE is capable of paying out €22 million to 11,000 people, why is the Tánaiste insisting that a private sector company — two of which have submitted tenders for between €30 million and €50 million — be used to make the remainder of the payments? Is the HSE and the public service incapable, having paid 11,000 people already, of paying the remainder? It should be borne in mind that many of those involved do not have time on their side.

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