Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I assume we would not be here today were it not for what happened in Leas Cross and in other places. I cannot understand why the Government dragged its heels for so long on this matter. It had to be dragged in here screaming. I have heard all sides of the argument, including from the Minister for Health and Children, but none of it made any sense. This legislation should have been enacted a couple of years ago. Many people will welcome the protection provided by the Bill. It was within the remit of the Government to introduce this measure but nothing was done. I accept it is not the fault personally of the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, as I assume he would have wished to introduce it earlier. There is no indication of why the Government dragged its feet on this issue.

The setting up of the inspectorate would not have involved major difficulties. The Government's aim should be to extend protection to the most vulnerable in society. The legislation should provide the best possible protection for the elderly when they are committed to care. There is nothing very complicated in that. I am still bewildered as to why the legislation was not introduced before now.

I hope the legislation will provide what people want. There is no more vulnerable place than to be than lying on one's back in a bed other than one's own. Given his job, the Minister of State is no doubt familiar with this but most people can understand the difficulties attached to being aged over 70 or 80 with a disability and having to depend hand and foot on somebody else who is not a relation for help. No matter what gloss one puts on it, none of us would like to be in that vulnerable position.

I concur with my colleagues' views on the inspectorate. I do not object to a stock-taking audit of nursing homes where nursing home owners are warned in advance. The people of east Galway who elected me and people from everywhere else want a "flying column" approach that would allow the inspectorate to strike at any time of day or night, Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Day or any other day. That approach should be expected from the new inspectorate. The fear of an unannounced visit would ensure any organisation would keep on its toes.

My experience is similar to Deputy Crawford's, in that nursing homes I know are perfectly run. I have not heard a single complaint about them. However, I accept there are bad apples in the barrel and the number will increase if people think they can get away with it. It is vital for the legislation to incorporate a strict code allowing the inspectorate to strike at any time without warning. I assume that is the direction the Government will take but given the length of time it took the Government to introduce this provision I would not be surprised by anything.

The Minister announced an increase of €100 per week in the subvention. I concur with what Deputy Crawford said. I have been told the rules of the scheme have not been made known. When the Minister announced the increase it was to come into operation from 1 January 2007. It should be up and running. The sting in the tail is that 15% could be retained under certain conditions where the family home would have to be sold. That was a tentative proposal which was unlikely to be implemented legislatively until after the general election. How cynical can we be?

There would be no better way to split families, cause infighting and put the fear of God in the elderly than to introduce such a scheme. I am totally against such a concept. I received two telephone calls today from families whose elderly relatives wanted to know before they went into a nursing home whether there was any danger that the family home which they hoped to pass on to a son or daughter would become subject to the 15% rule. If that is happening before the legislation is introduced, can one imagine the trouble that will arise after its introduction. In fairness to the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil, there was no danger it would be introduced until well after the election, one way or the other. What cynicism is this? I hope the elderly will see through it. There is no doubt the Government has managed to frighten them.

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