Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Under the fair deal scheme and nursing home programme, 42% of people in long stay institutions point out they were never offered a home care package. Another 40% do not know if they have been offered a home care package. Many people are consigned to long stay institutions when it would be much preferable to have them stay in their homes near their families until a time when that is no longer feasible.

We have to change the way the health service is delivered. I do not know whether Deputy Adams will say that a building that is 150 years old and houses 23 patients over two floors is suitable in 2012 for the kind of health system those patients deserve. Quality care should be delivered by professional staff in modern surroundings.

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