Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. It is good to see her in full health again. I heard that she had a bit of a mishap.

The Minister of State has outlined the process in a very comprehensive way. The problem is that the designated officer has had these papers since 16 August 2012. Today is 18 September 2013 and more than 13 months have elapsed. I agree with the Minister of State that it is good it was stalled because it gave us a chance to make the case. I note that she has stated an announcement will be made shortly which I welcome, but I have heard it before, as have many others. Does the Government have a comprehensive plan for efficient public nursing home provision in the State? The Minister for Finance is in the House and will state he does not have money to throw around. However, if the number of patients is reduced and we have a high ratio of staff to patients, the cost will increase. There is no need for this to happen in Abbeyleix because it has facilities for 34 people. Does the Government have a plan for a good and efficient network of public nursing homes? Is the plan to continue what the previous Government did, which was to run down and reduce the number of public nursing home beds in the State such that we would be left with a tiny number where only the highest dependency patients, those the private nursing homes will not touch with a barge pole, would be taken? That is my concern. Will the Minister of State give an indication as to whether we must wait another two years, two months or two weeks? The HSE has had the papers for 13 months. How long does it take it to make a decision?

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