Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

Following the programme on RTE about Leas Cross I immediately wrote to the Garda Commissioner asking him to examine it to see if there was a case to be answered. The HSE asked Professor Des O'Neill to prepare a report, which has been done. This report has been completed and will be published next week.

Leas Cross nursing home is no longer in operation and has been closed down. I do not want to frighten people into thinking that what happened in Leas Cross happens in every other nursing home. From my experience, most nursing homes make an honest effort to provide a high standard of care to their patients. It is important, however, that a proper scheme is put in place to ensure this happens in every nursing home and not just the majority.

The HSE has adopted a policy of working with nursing homes. Where there are difficulties, it encourages them to change their practices to achieve a high level of care. It may not have worked in all nursing homes, but it has worked in many. Through a process of communication and regular callbacks, high levels of care have been achieved as a result of the HSE's intervention.

The legislation covering this area will be published this year. It is our intention, with the support of the Opposition parties, to pass it as quickly as possible. It is not intended to put it back beyond the general election. The Government has shown its commitment to older people and treated their issues as a priority through increases in the old age pension and the provision of an extra €150 million in the last budget. That money was targeted in areas where it had real benefit to people through home care packages, meals on wheels and home helps, improving the quality of the lives of older people.

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