Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill and want to respond to some of the issues raised by Deputy Dennehy. It is important to note that the State has failed our elderly in many ways. The shortage of State run nursing homes is not in the best interests of elderly people because these homes could solve the problem of step-down beds and ease the pressure on accident and emergency units.

St. Mary's nursing home in Castleblaney, County Monaghan, is an example of best practice. In former times it was regarded as a poorhouse but people are now queuing to stay there because of the excellent service it provides, not only as a nursing home but as an Alzheimer's disease unit. When Fine Gael entered Government in 1994, two vacant wards in the home were turned into a treatment unit for Alzheimer's disease which, with its accompanying day care service, has become a great success. We should try to expand these services, so that people who have given service to the country over many years are given proper care in familiar environments.

Home care, which Deputy Dennehy discussed, cannot be over-emphasised as a means of keeping people out of nursing homes and getting them out of hospitals at an early stage. Despite the promises made by the Minister of State on this issue, I do not see any change on the ground.

See this speech in context