Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The supplementary documentation I have relates to the OECD report, which is a more general regulatory report.

I did not see the programme last night but I am aware from reports about it that there are clearly issues which are unacceptable and must be investigated and examined closely. The vast majority of services in this area are supplied by the HSE and HSE personnel but, as the Deputy said, a home care package programme has also been brought forward. There are many reputable service providers in that area but clearly some are unscrupulous and have not done their job properly. There is a commitment to look at this area, in respect of the public provision directly from the HSE and in respect of those who are involved in providing services through the private sector. All of that will have to be examined as a matter of urgency and I welcome the fact that this will be done.

In respect of the question on regulation, providing guidelines and making sure that standards and access to these services are more uniform across the country, I noted what the Minister of State with responsibility for elder people had to say this morning about guidelines coming forward in the New Year, as a result of much work done on the issue recently, and I look forward to those guidelines being brought forward quickly.

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