James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no wriggling here. This section leaves room for options to use the private sector as required into the future when it is to benefit of the service and the patients using it. The Deputy has alluded to a quote on the mess that was the HSE. The mess that was the HSE is being sorted out.

I point out to Deputy Ó Caoláin that the function of the scheme is to ensure long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. The overall objective of the reviews we are carrying out is to examine the future sustainability of the nursing homes support scheme, taking account of Government policy, relevant demographic growth trends and the current and projected fiscal situation, and to make costed recommendations on how the scheme should operate in the short to medium term to ensure it best supports Government policy and, more important, that it best supports people.

Certainly, some people need long-term care but many people would much rather stay in their homes. They need supports to live in dignity and with independence in their homes and communities for as long as possible. We want to review the nursing homes support scheme to see how best the funds we have can best support the maximum number of people. Therefore, I do not intend to accept Deputy Ó Caoláin's amendment.

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