Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

Opposition does what Opposition does. I understand that perfectly and it is a legitimate position to take. However, if Deputy Pringle read the answer to his question, he would see it stated we will be dealing with an additional 4,800 people requiring home care packages this year.

Those involved in putting together the regional plan for HSE west have a clear focus. For the first time ever, we are beginning to see the coming together of various agencies on how to deal with older people. The notion that the only service available is long-stay care is wrong. There are all sorts of pieces in between on which we need to bring the agencies together, such as the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to address supported and supervised living for older people.

The Deputy is not correct that 900 beds will be taken from the community nursing home system. As a matter of fact, having spoken to the four HSE regional directors of operations, RDOs, I understand the reduction will more than likely be less than 555. We are working to a clear plan on this.

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