Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to say a few words on this most important issue. Care and support for the elderly has been always a priority for Fianna Fáil in government. It is regrettable and unfair that the Ombudsman produced such a negative report. One of the most certain things in life is that we will all need care at some point in our lives. If we are honest, every one of us is concerned about how that care may be provided. We may also have concerns about how our parents or other loved ones are cared for. I commend all of the people who commit to the care of a loved one on a 24/7 basis. The care needed may be personal care, meal preparation, assistance to walk and transport for appointments That type of care is vital for many older people.

The policy of this Government is to permit those in need of care to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Through a variety of supports people are enabled to remain independent for longer and can continue to live in familiar surroundings among family, friends and neighbours. Nursing home care becomes necessary when this support is no longer sufficient to safely meet their needs. Community and home-based care is vital and is a major support to families who require support with the demanding work of caring. Home help, home care packages and day care are all community-based services that are vital to supporting people to continue living in their homes.

In 2010, a total of 12 million home help hours and more than 5,000 home care packages will be provided by the Health Service Executive. Day care facilities across the country also play a major role in the lives of those who may require care. I compliment the Minister on the introduction of the nursing homes support scheme and the Health Information and Quality Authority. Those schemes have received widespread welcome and support. We now have a uniform system of financial support for both public and private beds in nursing homes. This new scheme ensures that no one has to sell his or her home to pay for care, that no one has to borrow to fund this cost and that no family will have to find the money elsewhere or mortgage their home to access funds to pay for care. It is regrettable that the Ombudsman's report is so negative. Heretofore, nursing home care was not affordable for many people. We now have a fair system.

Today those who need care and all of us who will require care into the future can look forward to care of a high quality and high standard in public and private nursing homes alike. This Government has maintained its continued commitment to older people. I compliment the Minister on her efforts to balance co-operation with the Ombudsman and her own legal advice.

See this speech in context