Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

One does not need to look far to see the gross neglect of older people by the Government. I will provide three examples. First, older people in my county who only have their pensions cannot get transport for essential hospital appointments. Second, half a dozen home care packages were announced last year. Although this figure may rise to 50 this year, they have not progressed past January because the service is cash-strapped. Third, I refer to the terrible scandal of people who have nothing and yet must try to find money to receive basic care and to stay in nursing homes. This is a complete abdication by the State to the private sector and it is not working.

A few days ago, Members saw how the HSE was obliged to stop sending people to certain private nursing homes. This was due to understaffing because such nursing homes are profit-based. The State should take over such care. The State has a legal obligation to care for people with extremely high dependency across the board at its own expense. This is how it should be and I call for its implementation. Moreover, not-for-profit ventures are the way forward for high dependency individuals. There has been complete neglect on the part of the Government. The examples I have given make it clear that the way forward for those with high dependencies is for the State to take over their care.

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