Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank the other Deputies for sharing time.

I am pleased at the opportunity to speak on this vitally important topic. Care of the elderly often seems to come bottom of the list of people's priorities. The elderly are very vulnerable for several reasons, and one of the areas in which that vulnerability manifests itself is their capacity to achieve the type of care and accommodation that they want and need to see out their lives. Often they find that they are not listened to. The dominant factors determining where and how they live their lives become convenience and cost-effectiveness.

The Ombudsman's report on the elderly highlights a large number of issues, several of which I would like to cover. However, I specifically bring to the Minister's attention a situation in my constituency concerning St. Patrick's Hospital in Cashel, which is among the finest of such institutions and has provided a wonderful service over many years. Its future is threatened, and I want the Minister to deal with that. It is a great worry for many in my constituency.

If an elderly person wishes to remain in his or her home, the State must endeavour to facilitate that. A key plank of that approach would be to accord the important role of carers its proper value in society. In that context, a more flexible approach to the habitual residency clause is needed. I know of the case of a constituent who left her job and family home in America to return to Ireland and care for her sick mother in south Tipperary. She does not qualify for carer's benefit, despite being an extremely deserving case. Carers' rights are often inextricably linked to those of the elderly and the Government must bear that in mind. I ask the Minister to examine that issue, which is one of the most important. A person has come from the United States and has been denied carer's allowance and that should not happen because that person is saving the State a substantial amount.

See this speech in context