Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

The longer this debate goes on, the more worried I become with regard to what will happen to the elderly in the future. In light of the Minister of State's remarks, I am of the view that huge waiting lists will be created and that there will be a competition among the elderly to qualify for the scheme. The Minister of State provided a guarantee that the HSE will have adequate funding. It is only two or three weeks ago the winter initiative respite service for the western region was discontinued. The official line from HSE West is that only people who do not have relatives to take care of them can avail of a two-week stay at a nursing home or step-down facility when they leave hospital. If the HSE is given the same power to cut budgets under this legislation, what will be the impact on the elderly? That aspect of the matter has not been highlighted to any great degree prior to now. The gloss is going off this scheme as every minute passes in the Chamber.

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