Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

Does the Minister of State agree that Professor Des O'Neill has done a considerable service in his report on Leas Cross nursing home? It was a thoughtful and hard-hitting report. Has the Government accepted its recommendations? Does the Minister of State agree with Professor O'Neill's criticisms of the over-reliance on the private nursing home solution in care for the elderly? How will the recommendations on inpatient facilities be met?

The report clearly states that inpatient facilities both in medical and psycho-geriatric care are deficient and the issue has to be addressed. The Minister of State indicated there were some proposals floating around from the three major Dublin hospitals. Is he aware that the capital programme was underspent last year? What capital provision will be made in 2007 to meet recommendation No. 10 on inpatient facilities for the elderly in the report on the Leas Cross nursing home? The Kennedy report recommended that elderly people be central to the acute hospital service, but the only way they are central is when they are lying on trolleys in corridors and cared for in a most inappropriate way. What is the programme, timeframe and financial commitment to ensure inpatient facilities are in place to meet medical and pyscho-geriatric needs of the elderly?

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