Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

In respect of Deputy Ó Caoláin's earlier intervention, the same standards must apply wherever older people reside, irrespective of whether it is in a public or private facility. Deputy Twomey said that I saw terrible standards in facilities I visited but I saw no terrible standards of care anywhere. The standards of care in all the facilities I visited were very high. However, I have seen very old buildings which need to be modernised and adapted and made more family-friendly and appropriate to the needs of older people. This requires capital investment and we have made additional capital moneys available, as we did last year, for the adaptation, modernisation and upgrading of many of these facilities. This process must continue, as it will take some time to invest the level of capital funding required to raise all of the facilities to modern standards.

The budget addressed the issue of day care centres and their wider use. As the Deputy knows, many centres are only open for a short period each week. In future, every day care centre will operate seven days per week, which will require additional resources and staffing. This year, the Government has provided money for the enhanced use of the current day care services. I must be honest and say I am not familiar with the details of what is happening at Cootehill, but I will have the matter examined and ask someone to communicate with the Deputy.

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