Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

In June 2005, the first report on Leas Cross, namely, the Hynes report was published. It also exposed many matters which are still under discussion tonight. What has been done since its publication? Nothing appears to stir either the Minister of State or his colleagues into action in respect of care of the elderly. The Minister for Health and Children, who prides herself on being a can-do Minister, stated:

on the social services inspectorate, we will have the legislation ready later this year. The Minister for State, Deputy Power, is working on it. I am optimistic that we will have an appropriate inspectorate for our nursing homes.

While she may have been optimistic, this was stated in July 2005. Again, I have not seen anything happen. In addition, the Cabinet established the interdepartmental working group on future funding of care of the elderly at this time. However, as the House discovered earlier today, little has happened in this respect either.

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