Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)

There are no standards in place in private nursing homes in respect of minimum staffing levels. Private nursing homes also engage in cherry-picking, as all Deputies are aware. The reality is that Government resources are transferred from the public sector into funding private nursing homes that will not accept high dependence patients. It is a fact that hospitals such as Tallaght Hospital have patients blocking beds at a cost of thousands. These beds could be released if the patients in question were allowed to move to Crooksling nursing home. The Minister has taken a contradictory approach by stating he wants to support stroke victims and enable them to live independently and secure care while standing over cutbacks and waste arising from other policies being pursued by his Department.

It is good that we are discussing this issue and I compliment my colleagues in the Technical Group on having this issue, above all others, highlighted in Private Members' time. This will not be enough unless the Department delivers by stopping the butchery of community services and primary care in which it is engaged. The Government must pursue policies that allow people to return home healthy.

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