Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I welcome the indication from the Government that we may be given time to discuss service cutbacks promised by the HSE because of the cutback in its budget. I tried to raise the issue with Deputy Ó Caoláin yesterday.

The House established the Health Information and Quality Authority with support from all sides. It is now drawing up standards for homes for the elderly and people with disabilities. These standards are not yet ready but already the HSE is using them to close homes for the elderly around the country and people with disabilities in the Dublin area. In counties Carlow, Waterford, Wicklow, Cork and other areas elderly people are being put out of their homes because these standards are coming down the line.

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